Which protective services jobs are safest from AI?

The safest protective services jobs include First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers (25/100), First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers (25/100), First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other (4/100). These roles require human judgment, creativity, or physical skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

Will AI Replace Protective Services Jobs?

Q: Will AI replace protective services jobs?

Based on our analysis of 28 occupations in Protective Services, the average AI replacement risk is 54/100. 9 jobs face high risk (70+), while 5 jobs have low risk (under 30). The impact varies significantly by specific role and the types of tasks involved.

Q: Which protective services jobs are most at risk from AI?

The highest-risk protective services jobs include Private Detectives and Investigators (89/100), Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators (89/100), Retail Loss Prevention Specialists (87/100). These roles involve tasks that AI can increasingly automate.

We analyzed 28 occupations in protective services to determine their AI replacement risk. The average risk score is 54/100.

Jobs Analyzed

54/100

Average Risk

High Risk (70+)

Low Risk (<30)

Risk Distribution

Critical (80-100)

High (60-79)

Moderate (40-59)

Low (20-39)

Very Low (0-19)

⚠️ Highest Risk Protective Services Jobs

Private Detectives and Investigators

Gather, analyze, compile, and report information regarding individuals or organizations to clients, or detect occurrence...

Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators

Observe gambling operation for irregular activities such as cheating or theft by either employees or patrons. Investigat...

Retail Loss Prevention Specialists

Implement procedures and systems to prevent merchandise loss. Conduct audits and investigations of employee activity. Ma...

Customs and Border Protection Officers

Investigate and inspect persons, common carriers, goods, and merchandise, arriving in or departing from the United State...

Transit and Railroad Police

Protect and police railroad and transit property, employees, or passengers.......

Animal Control Workers

Handle animals for the purpose of investigations of mistreatment, or control of abandoned, dangerous, or unattended anim...

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

Maintain order and protect life and property by enforcing local, tribal, state, or federal laws and ordinances. Perform ...

Transportation Security Screeners

Conduct screening of passengers, baggage, or cargo to ensure compliance with Transportation Security Administration (TSA...

Bailiffs

Maintain order in courts of law.......

✅ Safest Protective Services Jobs

First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other

All protective service supervisors not listed separately above.......

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.......

First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in firefighting and fire prevention and control.......

First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of security workers and security guards.......

First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers.......

All Protective Services Jobs by AI Risk

Job Title	Risk Score	Risk Level
Private Detectives and Investigators	89	Critical
Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators	89	Critical
Retail Loss Prevention Specialists	87	Critical
Customs and Border Protection Officers	86	Critical
Transit and Railroad Police	83	Critical
Animal Control Workers	83	Critical
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers	82	Critical
Transportation Security Screeners	81	Critical
Bailiffs	70	High
Correctional Officers and Jailers	68	High
Parking Enforcement Workers	67	High
Security Guards	63	High
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers	61	High
Fish and Game Wardens	58	Medium
Crossing Guards and Flaggers	46	Medium
Intelligence Analysts	45	Medium
Fire Inspectors and Investigators	42	Medium
School Bus Monitors	37	Low
Protective Service Workers, All Other	37	Low
Firefighters	36	Low
Police Identification and Records Officers	36	Low
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists	35	Low
Detectives and Criminal Investigators	34	Low
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers	26	Low
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives	25	Low
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers	25	Low
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers	25	Low
First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other	4	Very Low

Future-Proof Your Protective Services Career

With an average risk score of 54/100, protective services workers should prioritize building AI-complementary skills.

Browse AI Courses on Coursera →Skill Up on Udemy →

Frequently Asked Questions

Will AI replace protective services jobs?

Based on our analysis of 28 occupations, the average AI replacement risk in protective services is 54/100. 9 jobs face high risk, while 5 jobs have low risk. The impact varies significantly depending on the specific tasks involved in each role.

Which protective services jobs are most at risk?

The highest-risk jobs include Private Detectives and Investigators (89/100), Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators (89/100), Retail Loss Prevention Specialists (87/100). These roles involve repetitive or data-processing tasks that AI can increasingly handle.

How can protective services workers prepare for AI?

Focus on skills that AI struggles with: creative problem-solving, emotional intelligence, complex physical tasks, and strategic thinking. Consider learning to work alongside AI tools rather than competing with them. Upskilling in data literacy and AI fundamentals can also help you leverage these technologies in your current role.