jobfacts

Protective service associate professionals n.e.c.

SOC 2020 3319

Job holders in this unit group inspect goods to ensure compliance with regulations concerning payment of duty, establish that persons entering and leaving the UK have necessary authorisation for crossing national borders, monitor maritime conditions, undertake search and rescue operations, plan and coordinate services of private detective agencies and security measures for individuals, establishments or organisations, investigates activities such as fraud and other crimes, and perform other security and protective service occupations not elsewhere classified in minor group 331: Protective service occupations.

Also calledBorder Force officerCoastguardImmigration officerScenes of crime officerSOCOCrime scene investigatorand 92 more titles
Typical full-time pay£44,0002025 Provisional
People in the job99,000across the UK
New adverts a month1,200↑ 4.2%on last year · 161st of 412

Pay

ONS · ASHE 2025

Half of full-time protective service associate professionals n.e.c. earn between £35,400 and £54,900 a year.

What full-time protective service associate professionals n.e.c. earn, 2025
£44,000 typical£28,300lowest 10%£35,40025%£59,300top 20%n/ptop 10%
Middle half (£35,400–£54,900)n/p: top 10% not published by ONS
Show as table
Lowest 10% earn less than£28,300
Lowest 20% earn less than£32,200
25%£35,400
Median£44,000
75%£54,900
Top 20% earn more than£59,300
Top 10% earn more thanNot published
Typical pay by regionUK median £44,000
London£53,300
East Midlands!£48,100
West Midlands!£44,900
North West!£43,000
Yorkshire and The Humber!£37,100
South East!£36,600
North EastNot published by ONS–
East of EnglandNot published by ONS–
South WestNot published by ONS–
ScotlandNot published by ONS–
WalesNot published by ONS–
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
UK median, £44,000
London£53,300
East Midlands£48,100 (small sample)
West Midlands£44,900 (small sample)
North West£43,000 (small sample)
Yorkshire and The Humber£37,100 (small sample)
South East£36,600 (small sample)
North EastNot published by ONS
East of EnglandNot published by ONS
South WestNot published by ONS
ScotlandNot published by ONS
WalesNot published by ONS
Typical pay over 3 years
  • 2023 £39,400
  • 2024 £41,000
  • 2025 Provisional£44,000
↑ 12% since 2023Provisional figures are revised when ONS publishes the next year’s survey.

Jobs and demand

ONS · Textkernel adverts · DfE

About 1,200 jobs for protective service associate professionals n.e.c. are advertised each month.

New job adverts a month, Jan 2017 to Aug 2026
New advertsMonth not published by ONS (1 in all)
Show as table
Aug 20261,537
Jul 20261,213
Jun 20261,366
May 20261,182
Apr 20261,114
Mar 2026Not published
Feb 20261,016
Jan 20261,284
Dec 2025627
Nov 20251,364
Oct 20251,236
Sept 20251,107
Aug 20251,196
Jul 20251,248
Jun 20251,575
May 20251,427
Apr 20251,114
Mar 20251,379
Feb 20251,151
Jan 20251,075
Dec 2024743
Nov 20241,037
Oct 2024897
Sept 20241,061
Aug 20241,029
Jul 20241,150
Jun 20241,107
May 20241,267
Apr 2024987
Mar 20241,040
Feb 2024960
Jan 20241,197
Dec 20231,030
Nov 20231,004
Oct 20231,086
Sept 20231,042
Aug 20231,155
Jul 20231,297
Jun 20231,680
May 20231,681
Apr 20231,434
Mar 20231,824
Feb 20231,751
Jan 20231,732
Dec 20221,725
Nov 20222,051
Oct 20222,142
Sept 20221,952
Aug 20221,983
Jul 20222,182
Jun 20221,895
May 20222,088
Apr 20221,687
Mar 20222,022
Feb 20221,993
Jan 20222,170
Dec 20211,532
Nov 20211,663
Oct 20211,649
Sept 20211,575
Aug 20211,460
Jul 20211,785
Jun 20211,466
May 20211,674
Apr 20211,438
Mar 20211,896
Feb 20211,142
Jan 20211,256
Dec 20201,220
Nov 20201,187
Oct 20201,099
Sept 20201,048
Aug 2020958
Jul 2020855
Jun 2020828
May 2020744
Apr 2020934
Mar 20201,529
Feb 20201,546
Jan 20201,649
Dec 20191,125
Nov 20191,505
Oct 20191,411
Sept 20191,381
Aug 20191,501
Jul 20191,733
Jun 20191,636
May 20191,524
Apr 20191,142
Mar 20191,460
Feb 20191,299
Jan 20191,453
Dec 2018945
Nov 20181,276
Oct 20181,288
Sept 20181,362
Aug 20181,300
Jul 20181,257
Jun 20181,264
May 20181,216
Apr 20181,291
Mar 20181,460
Feb 20181,409
Jan 20181,469
Dec 20171,020
Nov 20171,242
Oct 20171,448
Sept 20171,185
Aug 20171,280
Jul 20171,254
Jun 20171,382
May 20171,335
Apr 20171,372
Mar 20171,503
Feb 20171,228
Jan 20171,484
Vacancies hard to fill because of skills
24%against 27% for all jobs
Broader groupFigure for associate professional occupations, which includes protective service associate professionals n.e.c.. DfE Employer Skills Survey 2024.
Where the most jobs are advertisedadverts a quarter
London997
Manchester139
Birmingham113
Leeds81
Bristol, City of75
Glasgow City69
City of Edinburgh61
Cardiff48
Newcastle upon Tyne42
Nottingham41
London is published as one area. Averages leave out quarters ONS withheld.
Where protective service associate professionals n.e.c. are most concentratedShare of local job adverts, compared with the UK.

Recruitment from abroad. Fewer than 10 sponsored work visas were granted for this job from July 2025 to June 2026. Home Office

Who does it

ONS · Annual Population Survey · April 2025 to March 2026
Age of protective service associate professionals n.e.c.
2%!
30%!
24%
25%!
16%!
n/p
!Small sample: treat with cautionn/p: too few in the survey to publish
Show as table
16–242% (small sample)
25–3430% (small sample)
35–4424%
45–5425% (small sample)
55–6416% (small sample)
65+Not published
Highest qualification
Degree or equivalent49%
Higher education below degree!8.5%
A levels or equivalent24%
GCSEs or equivalent11%
Other qualifications!4%
No qualifications!2.4%
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
Degree or equivalent49%
Higher education below degree8.5% (small sample)
A levels or equivalent24%
GCSEs or equivalent11%
Other qualifications4% (small sample)
No qualifications2.4% (small sample)

Main employers: public order and safety activities (21%), general public administration activities (14%), other monetary intermediation (13%), private security activities (7.9%).

How to get in

Hold a degree
49%
as their highest qualification
Apprenticeships
5
from level 3, including degree apprenticeships
Apprenticeships take
18 months to 3 years
typically

Routes in

Border Force officer

You can get into this job through:

College

You could do a college course in public services which could help you to develop some of the skills and knowledge needed in this role.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

Apprenticeship

You could do a Public Service Operational Delivery Officer Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship with the Civil Service.

This can take up to 1 year and 6 months to complete.

Entry requirements

To do this apprenticeship, you'll need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths

Other ways in

Work your way up

You could join the Civil Service as a Border Force assistant officer, then apply for an officer post when vacancies become available.

Apply directly

You could apply directly to become a Border Force officer. To enter at officer level, you'll need at least 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English and maths, or equivalent qualifications.

What you’ll need

  • be over 18 years of age
  • be a UK citizen
  • have lived in the UK for the last 5 years
  • pass enhanced background checks
  • pass security checks
  • pass a medical check
  • have a good level of fitness
  • have a full driving licence

Registration and professional bodies

Further information

You can find out more about working as a Border Force officer from:

  • Home Office Careers
  • Border Force
  • Civil Service Careers

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for border force officer. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Coastguard

You can get into this job through:

Work your way up

You may be able to work your way into this role by starting as a coastguard watch assistant and applying for promotion when you've got more experience.

To apply, you'll need literacy, numeracy and IT skills.

Volunteering

Voluntering is a good way to get experience of working in the coastguard service. You could volunteer to become a coastguard rescue officer.

You'll need to be:

  • over 18
  • physically fit
  • live close to your chosen coastguard station

As you get more experience, you could apply for a paid position when vacancies are advertised.

Apply directly

You can apply for jobs with HM Coastguard if you have relevant skills and knowledge. Jobs include call centre operations and maritime watch services.

You'll need a good standard of literacy and numeracy, and good eyesight and hearing.

What you’ll need

  • meet the Civil Service nationality requirements
  • be over 18 years of age
  • pass a medical check
  • pass a fitness test
  • have a full driving licence
  • pass background checks
  • pass security checks

Registration and professional bodies

Career tips

For some jobs, it may be helpful to have experience working at sea. This might be from:

  • the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force or the Merchant Navy
  • sailing or working at sea
  • teaching watersport activities
  • volunteering as a coastguard rescue officer
Further information

You can find out more about becoming a coastguard from:

  • HM Coastguard
  • Civil Service Careers

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for coastguard. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Immigration officer

You can get into this job through:

College

You could do a college course in public services which would teach you some of the skills needed in this role. After you finish your course you could apply for a trainee immigration officer post.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

Apprenticeship

You could start as a trainee immigration officer and do a Public Service Operational Delivery Officer Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship with the Civil Service.

With qualifications and experience, you could move on to immigration officer roles.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Other ways in

Work your way up

You could join the Civil Service as an assistant immigration officer. Once working, you could apply for a post as an immigration officer when vacancies become available.

Apply directly

You could apply directly for immigration officer jobs with the Civil Service. The qualifications and experience you'll need will depend on the exact job you're applying for, but you'll find it useful to have:

  • 2 A levels at grade C or above
  • a degree for some jobs
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to speak another language

You can find out more about working as an immigration enforcement officer and Civil Service careers from the Home Office.

What you’ll need

  • be over 18 years of age
  • be a UK citizen
  • pass security checks
  • pass enhanced background checks
  • pass a medical check
  • have a full driving licence

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for immigration officer. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Scenes of crime officer

You can get into this job through:

University

You could do a degree accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences. You could then join a scenes of crime training programme.

Subjects include:

  • forensic science
  • applied science
  • criminology
  • chemistry
  • biology
Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

Work your way up

If you're already working in the police service in a support role, you might be able to apply for training to become a Tier 1 crime scene investigator (CSI).

Your employer will organise training through the College of Policing. The training covers investigative methods for volume and priority crime, such as vehicle-related offences, burglary and street robbery.

Apply directly

You can apply directly to a police force to join as a trainee scenes of crime officer.

Each force sets its own entry requirements but you might need one or more of the following:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) including maths, English and a science subject
  • a minimum of 2 A levels or equivalent qualifications
  • experience of working in the police service
  • a willingness to work long and unsocial hours

Initial training can take between 6 and 12 months.

What you’ll need

  • pass enhanced background checks

For some police forces, you might need to undergo vetting procedures like psychological screening.

You'll usually need a driving licence.

Registration and professional bodies

Career tips

Qualifications or experience in photography can also be useful and may be essential for some jobs.

You'll be required to attend scenes which may be upsetting, though training and support will be given to help with this.

Professional and industry bodies

You can join The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences for professional development and advice.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for scenes of crime officer. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Security manager

You can get into this job through:

Apprenticeship

You can apply to do a Security First Line Manager Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, or Protective Security Adviser Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.

These take around 2 years to complete and combine on-the-job training and time spent with a learning provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • experience in related work

Work your way up

You can start as a security officer and become a team supervisor. You can then move into security management through on-the-job training and promotion.

Apply directly

You can apply directly for security management jobs if you've got previous experience in the security industry. You'll also need a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence.

Skills gained through experience of managing a team in organisations like the armed forces, police or prison service may also be useful.

What you’ll need

  • pass enhanced background checks
  • be over 18 years of age

You'll usually need a driving licence.

Registration and professional bodies

Registration
  • you'll need a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence for agency and contractor jobs
Further information

You can learn more about careers in security from the International Professional Security Association (IPSA).

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for security manager. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Apprenticeships

5 for this job
Level 4About 2 years

Counter fraud investigator

Leads to
Government Counter Fraud Investigation Profession
Details on Skills England
Level 6About 3 yearsDegree

Resilience and emergencies professional

You gain
BSc/BA Resilience and emergencies management
Leads to
Emergency Planning Society
Details on Skills England
Level 6About 2½ yearsDegree

Serious and complex crime investigator

You gain
Serious and complex crime investigator degree
Employers may ask for
Whilst any entry requirements will be a matter for individual agencies and forces, typically an apprentice will be required to meet security vetting…
Details on Skills England

© Skills England 2025. This information is licensed under the Open Government Licence https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Other qualifications

QualificationTypeLevel
SFJ Awards Level 4 Certificate for Protective Security AdvisersHigher technical4

The work

ONS · ESCO · O*NET

Typical tasks

  • examines, weighs and counts goods imported by ship or aircraft, ensures that the declared value of goods is satisfactory, and that duties and taxes have been paid
  • examines passports, visas, work permits and other immigration documents, and allows or refuses entry into the UK
  • maintains revenue control at breweries, tobacco factories and other premises where dutiable goods are manufactured, processed or stored
  • visits racecourses, greyhound stadiums and betting shops to ensure compliance with legal requirements
  • broadcasts information on weather and maritime conditions, monitors shipping and provides instruction to navigators
  • receives distress messages, alerts other appropriate rescue services and participates in search and rescue operations
  • photographs, fingerprints and undertakes other forms of forensic examination at the scene of a crime
  • analyses security requirements, advises clients, and develops, monitors and improves security measures
  • supervises and assigns duties to security and detection staff
  • investigates crimes, including fraud, trading practices and the private affairs of individuals

Skills

  • assist emergency services
  • handle conflicts
  • perform risk analysis
  • provide first aid
  • react calmly in stressful situations
  • write work-related reports
  • apply first response
  • ensure law application
  • ensure public safety and security
  • identify security threats
  • instruct public
  • operate radio equipment
  • patrol areas
  • practice vigilance

Knowledge

  • first response
  • law enforcement
  • road traffic laws
  • first aid
  • flood remediation equipment
  • local geography
  • traffic signs

Suits people who like

  • Practical, hands-on work
  • Organising and following procedures

Outlook

DfE · Skills Imperative 2035
Broader groupThese projections are for protective service occupations, a group of 5 jobs that includes protective service associate professionals n.e.c..
Change in jobs, 2020 to 2035↑ 36%about 144,000 more jobs
Workers needed by 2035313,000including people replacing those who retire or leave

Sources

Pay
ONS, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, 2025 provisional
People in the job, who does it
ONS, Annual Population Survey, April 2025 to March 2026
Job adverts
ONS, online job adverts (Textkernel), to Aug 2026
Demand, skill shortages
Department for Education and Skills England, Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey
Outlook
The Skills Imperative 2035 (2024), NFER/Nuffield/DfE/IER/CE
Routes in
National Careers Service job profiles
Apprenticeships, qualifications
Skills England occupational maps
Skills, interests
ESCO classification of the European Commission; O*NET data, U.S. Department of Labor (CC BY 4.0, modified)
Visas
Home Office, immigration system statistics

Figures as of 10 October 2026.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey: Department for Education and Skills England. Immigration system statistics: Home Office. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

© Skills England 2025. This information is licensed under the Open Government Licence https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Source: The Skills Imperative 2035 (2024), NFER/Nuffield/DfE/IER/CE.

This service uses the ESCO classification of the European Commission.

This service includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This service has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. CC BY 4.0 licence.

jobfacts is independent. It is not part of, affiliated with or endorsed by the Office for National Statistics, the Department for Education, Skills England, the National Careers Service, the Home Office, the European Commission or the U.S. Department of Labor.