10 of the Most Popular Types of Personal Protection Jobs in 2026

See what kind of roles similar to Personal Protection jobs are hiring now

Top Types Of Personal Protection Jobs

• Security Guard

  Salary range: $32,000 - $39,000

  Security Guards work in various organizations to provide site or inventory monitoring and crime prevention activities. This may include actively patrolling an area on foot or in a security vehicle, or standing guard at key entrances or exits. In other cases, Security Guards may monitor security video footage and check credentials for those entering a facility. In an emergency they help direct emergency vehicles and police; they may also administer basic first aid. Security Guards keep accurate logs of daily or nightly activities and report any concerns to their supervisor. Ultimately, a Security Guard seeks to de-escalate a conflict whenever possible, but on occasion, they may need to restrain an individual. A job as a Security Guard likely demands non-traditional hours; some facilities require security for nights, weekends, and holidays.

• Work From Home Private Security Guard

  Salary range: $32,000 - $39,000

  Work From Home Private Security Guard is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Work From Home Private Security Guard jobs pay between $32,000 (25th percentile) and $39,000 (75th percentile) annually. There are plenty of open positions nationwide for Work From Home Private Security Guard job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Unarmed Security

  Salary range: $32,000 - $38,000

  Unarmed security jobs include several positions that focus on improving the safety of a particular person or place. In this field, you may patrol a building as a guard, prevent loss of property, escort visitors to and from sensitive areas, and respond to alarms or other signs of unusual activities. Unarmed security guards are usually not police officers, so you may have to leave some jobs to a law enforcement officer. You may also use cameras and other security systems to monitor an area, operate a motor vehicle to patrol larger areas, and document your activities. Most unarmed security guards focus more on prevention than active enforcement, but you may be asked to physically intervene in circumstances as determined by your employer.

• Security

  Salary range: $32,000 - $39,000

  Security jobs are those that provide protective services for a business, facility, event, or location. Security jobs include law enforcement, private security, and private investigators. There are also many jobs available in cyber security, providing digital security. Each type of security job has a unique set of required skills and qualifications. For example, a correctional officer needs specialized de-escalation and physical training, while a digital security specialist needs education and experience related to information technology, backup, and authentication protocols.

• Close Protection

  Salary range: $36,000 - $44,000

  Close Protection is a common job search query. Most salaries for Close Protection jobs pay between $36,000 (25th percentile) and $44,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Close Protection job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Bodyguard

  Salary range: $39,000 - $111,000

  A bodyguard provides personal protection for a client, keeping them safe from physical threats like assault, theft, kidnapping, or assassination. In this career, you may also protect the client’s belongings and privacy at the client’s request. You can work for any prominent individual, but most often, you work for celebrities, diplomats, and politicians. As a bodyguard, you also have to drive your clients from place to place, screen the area for any threats, and conduct the client where they need to go. For larger security teams, you may be responsible for a specific task or area that your client frequents.

• Armed Private Security

  Salary range: $35,000 - $44,500

  Armed private security jobs are any jobs that require you to carry a firearm while protecting your client(s). Some titles include armed specialists, armed carriers, screeners, surveillance officers, bounty hunters, and bodyguards. Armed private security jobs include those where you guard a single person, such as a celebrity or politician. Other than providing personal protection, you may also guard valuable property, such as being an armored truck guard for a bank. Or, you may work for a private security contractor who contracts with the military or federal government to provide added security for foreign workers or key infrastructure facilities, such as pipelines or public utilities in conflict zones. Depending on your responsibilities, you may also investigate security breaches and implement safety requirements before your client arrives at a location.

• Protective Security

  Salary range: $32,000 - $37,500

  Protective Security is a typical job search query Most salaries for Protective Security jobs pay between $32,000 (25th percentile) and $37,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Protective Security job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Security Officer

  Salary range: $32,000 - $38,000

  Security Officers, also known as Security Guards, monitor people or property to identify or prevent criminal activity. They may use alarms and surveillance equipment, control access at a gate, or patrol a property on foot to ensure safety and security. Security Officers are usually uniformed and may be armed. Some Security Officers patrol areas in vehicles and respond to alarms.

• Armed Security

  Salary range: $35,000 - $44,500

  Armed security jobs involve working to guard a person or property while carrying a firearm. Your duties as an armed security officer vary. You may patrol an area to ensure that there are no security breaches. You may also ensure the safety of people who need security services. In some cases, armed security officers work in conjunction with police or other law enforcement agency, or but you may also work as a contractor for government agencies. Your responsibilities as an armed guard revolve around providing security services at stadiums, airports, banks, or other public venues.