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How to become first-line supervisors of police and detectiveseducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Protective Services Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$106,040
25th–75th pct. $81,860–$132,620
Top pay (est.)
$214,600
Top 10% $165,110
Pay in 5 years
$124,300est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$145,700est.
$125,300–$169,100
Outlook score
61/100
★★★☆☆ Average
AI replacement risk
15%
Very low
Job growth (10 yr)
+3.3%
11K openings / yr

How to become first-line supervisors of police and detectives

Typical education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS
Related experience
Less than 5 years
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

Key skills

Persuasion
4.0
Writing
4.0
Management of Personnel Resources
4.0
Coordination
4.0
Complex Problem Solving
4.0
Active Listening
4.0
Social Perceptiveness
4.0
Reading Comprehension
4.0

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Customer and Personal Service
6.2
Public Safety and Security
5.6
Law and Government
5.0
Psychology
4.5
Education and Training
4.4
English Language
4.4
Administration and Management
4.0
Therapy and Counseling
3.9

What the work involves

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsAssisting and Caring for OthersMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgePerforming for or Working Directly with the Public

Important abilities

Deductive ReasoningProblem SensitivityOral ExpressionOral ComprehensionWritten ExpressionInductive Reasoning

Education of workers

High school diploma
56%
Some college
20%
Bachelor's degree
19%
Associate's degree
4%

Training before entry

3–6 months
37%
6–12 months
21%
Up to 1 month
15%
1–2 years
7%
1–3 months
7%
None / short demo
6%
4–10 years
6%
2–4 years
2%

Related work experience

None
72%
2–4 years
9%
6–8 years
9%
Over 10 years
6%
4–6 years
4%

Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as first-line supervisors of police and detectives

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.