Security Management Specialists
Conduct security assessments for organizations, and design security systems and processes. May specialize in areas such as physical security or the safety of employees and facilities.
Also called: Physical Security Engineer · Physical Security Specialist · Security Advisor · Security Analyst · Security and Workplace Violence Consultant · Security Consultant
Median pay (national)
$81,270
$46,230–$147,830 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
1,128,200
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+3%
~108,200 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for security management specialists shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $147,830 versus $46,230 at the bottom 10% — 3.2x. The median of $81,270 leaves roughly 82% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +3% from 2024 to 2034 — about as fast as the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 108,200 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 53 states with released data, District of Columbia pays the most for this role (median $106,810, +31% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $45,510 — a 135% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Amazon Web Services AWS software, Firewall software, Linux, Microsoft Active Directory as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Monitoring
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Assess the nature and level of physical security threats so that the scope of the problem can be determined.
- Respond to emergency situations on an on-call basis.
- Recommend improvements in security systems or procedures.
- Perform risk analyses so that appropriate countermeasures can be developed.
- Inspect physical security design features, installations, or programs to ensure compliance with applicable standards or regulations.
- Conduct security audits to identify potential vulnerabilities related to physical security or staff safety.
- Design security policies, programs, or practices to ensure adequate security relating to alarm response, access card use, and other security needs.
- Test security measures for final acceptance and implement or provide procedures for ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the measures.
- Design, implement, or establish requirements for security systems, video surveillance, motion detection, or closed-circuit television systems to ensure proper installation and operation.
- Prepare, maintain, or update security procedures, security system drawings, or related documentation.
Tools & technology
- Amazon Web Services AWS software
- Firewall software
- Linux
- Microsoft Active Directory
- Microsoft Azure software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- MITRE ATT&CK software
- JavaScript
- Microsoft PowerShell
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft Windows
- Oracle Java
- SAP software
- ServiceNow
Knowledge areas
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Computers and Electronics
- Administration and Management
- Law and Government
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Education and Training