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Close Protection Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Conduct armed close protection and personal security for clients in various environments. * Develop and implement threat assessments, route planning, and pre-advance operations. * Monitor and secure ...

Successful completion of an industry-recognized executive protection or close protection course through a reputable government, law enforcement, military or private training provider. * Successful ...

Successful completion of an industry-recognized executive protection or close protection course through a reputable government, law enforcement, military or private training provider. * Successful ...

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Close Protection information

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$12

$19

$26

How much do close protection jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for close protection in the United States is $19.32, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $21.15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Close Protection Officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Close Protection Officer, you need comprehensive security training, situational awareness, and often a background in law enforcement or military service, alongside appropriate licensing or certification. Familiarity with surveillance equipment, defensive driving, and communication systems is typically required. Exceptional judgment, discretion, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are crucial soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure the safety of clients by enabling rapid, effective responses to potential threats in high-risk environments.

What jobs pay 4000 a week without a degree?

Close protection officers, also known as bodyguards, can earn $4,000 or more per week, especially with experience, high-profile clients, or specialized skills. These roles often require security training, certifications, and the ability to work irregular hours in high-pressure environments.

How do I become a close protection officer?

To become a close protection officer, individuals typically need to complete specialized training in security procedures, threat assessment, and first aid, often through certified courses. Many employers also require a background check, relevant licenses, and physical fitness, with some jurisdictions requiring law enforcement or military experience.

How much do close protection officers get paid?

Close protection officers typically earn between $50,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the level of threat they are managing. Salaries can be higher for those with specialized skills, certifications, or working in high-risk environments. Many also receive additional benefits such as overtime pay and per diem allowances.

What is the difference between Close Protection vs Security Guard?

AspectClose ProtectionSecurity Guard
CredentialsSecurity license, first aid, threat assessmentSecurity license, basic training
Work EnvironmentHigh-profile clients, mobile, event securityStatic locations, premises security
Employer & IndustryPrivate security firms, high-net-worth individualsCommercial, retail, residential properties

Close Protection and Security Guards both ensure safety but differ mainly in scope and environment. Close Protection involves safeguarding high-profile clients in dynamic settings, requiring specialized training. Security Guards typically monitor static locations like buildings or premises. Understanding these differences helps clients choose the right security service for their needs.

Is close protection a good job?

Close protection involves safeguarding individuals, often requiring physical fitness, situational awareness, and security training. It can be a rewarding career for those interested in security, but it often involves irregular hours, high stress, and potential risks. Job satisfaction depends on personal interests and the ability to handle demanding environments.

What are some common challenges faced by Close Protection officers during assignments?

Close Protection officers often face challenges such as adapting quickly to rapidly changing environments, maintaining constant vigilance over long hours, and balancing the client's need for privacy with security requirements. Working in diverse locations means officers must be prepared to address unfamiliar risks, manage potential conflicts, and work discreetly while ensuring the client's safety. Effective communication and teamwork with other security professionals are essential to anticipate and respond to any threats proactively.

What are close protection officers?

Close protection officers, also known as bodyguards, are security professionals responsible for ensuring the safety and security of individuals who may be exposed to elevated personal risk, such as celebrities, executives, politicians, or other high-profile clients. Their duties include assessing threats, planning secure routes, accompanying clients, and responding to emergencies. Close protection officers are trained in risk assessment, conflict management, first aid, and defensive tactics to minimize potential harm to their clients.
More about Close Protection jobs
What cities are hiring for Close Protection jobs? Cities with the most Close Protection job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Close Protection jobs? The most popular types of Close Protection jobs are:
What states have the most Close Protection jobs? States with the most job openings for Close Protection jobs include:
Infographic showing various Close Protection job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,194 per year, or $19.3 per hour.

Senior Executive Protection Manager

Control Risks

Boston, MA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 23 days ago


Job description

Control Risks is seeking an experienced Seniorย Executiveย Protection Manager to support a major global life sciences client in the Boston / Cambridge area. This role will serve as the day-to-day lead for an embedded executive protection team supporting the client's Massachusetts-based Chief Executive Officer.ย 

The successful candidate will lead the protective mission on the ground, oversee operationalย planningย and ensure the team delivers discreet,ย professionalย and low-friction support across daily movements, business activity, domestic and international travel, and executive events. This is an armed role requiring mature judgment, strong leadership, significant executive protectionย experienceย and the ability toย operateย comfortably in a corporate environment.ย 

The Seniorย Executiveย Protection Manager will work closely with the client's Global Security team, executive support staff, internalย stakeholdersย and Control Risks program leadership. The role requires someone who can lead a small protective team, translate threat and operational information into practical protective posture,ย maintainย standards, support advanceย workย and serve as a trusted interface between the client and the embedded team.ย 

  • Lead day-to-day protective operations in support of the principal, ensuring the team provides discreet,ย professionalย and effective executive protection support.ย 
  • Serve as the on-the-ground team lead for the Executive Protection Agent, Executive Securityย Driverย and Protective Intelligence Analyst in coordination with the Control Risks program manager.ย 
  • Translate the principal's schedule, threatย pictureย and operating environment intoย an appropriate protectiveย posture.ย 
  • Conduct and oversee advance planning for office activity, executive movements, meetings, events, domesticย travelย and international travel.ย 
  • Coordinate with client stakeholders, executive assistants, venue security, law enforcement, local securityย providersย and partner protective teams asย required.ย 
  • Provide close protection to the principal in a low-profile manner, intervening only when necessary and consistent with law,ย trainingย and client expectations.ย 
  • Develop,ย refineย andย maintainย operating procedures for movements, travel, communications, escalation, incidentย responseย and coordination with the client.ย 
  • Ensure the teamย remainsย aligned to Control Risks standards, clientย expectationsย and the principal's operating preferences.ย 
  • Coordinate with the Protective Intelligence Analyst to ensure threat reporting and protective intelligence inform planning, travel support,ย eventsย and escalation decisions.ย 
  • Support other executives,ย eventsย or local protective requirements when the principal is traveling or when schedule and client priorities permit.ย 
  • Maintain readiness to respond to security incidents, medical issues, travel disruptions, emergingย threatsย or other situations affecting the principal or team.ย 
  • Provideย timelyย verbal and written updates to client stakeholders and Control Risks program leadership asย required.ย 
  • Support recurring training, lessons learned, after-action reviews and quality-assurance processes.ย 
  • Maintain confidentiality,ย discretionย and professionalismย at all times.ย ย 

Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree preferred, or equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant professional experience.ย 
  • 7-10+ years of executive protection, corporate executive protection, close protection, protective operations, or comparable security experience supporting senior executives or high-profile principals.ย 
  • Demonstrated experience leading protective teams, not simply serving as a member of a protective detail.ย 
  • Prior experience supporting senior executives in a corporate environment strongly preferred.ย 
  • Successful completion of an industry-recognized executive protection or close protection course through a reputable government, law enforcement, military, or private training provider.ย 
  • Prior federal, state, or local law enforcement experience preferred, particularly where it supports LEOSA-compatible credentials and lawful nationwide carry.ย 
  • Prior militaryย or law enforcementย experience is valued, but candidates mustย demonstrateย the ability toย operateย effectively in a low-profile corporate executive protection environment.ย 
  • Demonstrated ability to conduct and manage advance work, route planning, site surveys, movement planning, protective intelligence integration, and contingency planning.ย 
  • Experience coordinating with executive assistants, corporate security teams, law enforcement, venue security, transportation providers, and other internal or external stakeholders.ย 
  • Strong leadership, communication, decision-making, and stakeholder-management skills.ย 
  • Ability to balance security, discretion, service, and executive productivity.ย 
  • Ability to lead a small team, set expectations,ย maintainย standards, and support a professional operating rhythm.ย 

Additionalย requirementsย ย 

  • Mustย possess, or be able to obtain andย maintain, all applicable Massachusetts licensing and firearms credentialsย requiredย to perform armed executive protection duties.ย 
  • Must possess LEOSA-compatible credentials or otherwise be able to meet the client's lawful nationwide carry requirements.ย 
  • Certification in CPR, AED, and first aid, or ability to obtain before deployment.ย 
  • Valid US driver's license and clean driving record.ย 
  • Valid US passport and ability to travel domestically and internationally asย required.ย 
  • Ability to support occasional evenings, weekends, travel, and schedule changes based on the principal's requirements.ย 
  • Ability toย maintainย a high levelย of confidentiality, discretion, and professional judgment.ย 
  • Must be physically able to perform the essential functions of the role, including extended standing, walking, driving, travel, and response to dynamic situations.

Benefits

  • Control Risks offers a competitively positioned compensation and benefits package that is transparent and summarized in the full job offer.
  • We operate a discretionary bonus scheme that incentivizes, and rewards individuals based on company and individual performance.
  • Control Risks supports hybrid working arrangements, wherever possible, that emphasize the value of in-person time together - in the office and with our clients - while continuing to support flexible and remote working.
  • Control Risks offers a competitively positioned compensation and benefits package that is transparent and summarized in the full job offer.
  • Medical Benefits, Prescription Benefits, FSA, Dental Benefits, Vision Benefits, Life and AD&D, Voluntary Life and AD&D, Disability Benefits, Voluntary Benefits, 401 (K) Retirement, Nationwide Pet Insurance, Employee Assistance Program.
  • As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us and are fully committed to equal treatment, free from discrimination, of all candidates throughout our recruitment process.

The base salary range for this position is $130000-$150000 per year. Exact compensation offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Control Risks is committed to a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status. If you require any reasonable adjustments to be made in order to participate fully in the interview process, please let us know and we will be happy to accommodate your needs.

Control Risksparticipatesin the E-Verify program to confirm employment authorization of all newly hired employees. The E-Verify process is completed during new hire onboarding and completion of the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, at the start of employment. E-Verify is not used as a tool to pre-screen candidates.For more information on E-Verify, please visit www.uscis.gov.