Security Managers
Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.
Also called: Corporate Physical Security Supervisor · Corporate Security Manager · Judicial Office Security Director · Physical Security Manager · Physical Security Systems Manager · Regional Security Manager
Median pay (national)
$104,690
$62,550–$173,080 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
141,090
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+3.8%
~13,200 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for security managers shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $173,080 versus $62,550 at the bottom 10% — 2.8x. The median of $104,690 leaves roughly 65% 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 +3.8% from 2024 to 2034 — about as fast as the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 13,200 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 54 states with released data, Washington pays the most for this role (median $130,300, +24% vs the national median), while Guam sits lowest at $63,800 — a 104% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening 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 Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Writing
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Develop budgets for security operations.
- Identify, investigate, or resolve security breaches.
- Plan, direct, or coordinate security activities to safeguard company employees, guests, or others on company property.
- Direct or participate in emergency management and contingency planning.
- Respond to medical emergencies, bomb threats, fire alarms, or intrusion alarms, following emergency response procedures.
- Analyze and evaluate security operations to identify risks or opportunities for improvement through auditing, review, or assessment.
- Create or implement security standards, policies, and procedures.
- Assess risks to mitigate potential consequences of incidents and develop a plan to respond to incidents.
- Supervise or provide leadership to subordinate security professionals, performing activities such as hiring, investigating applicants' backgrounds, training, assigning work, evaluating performance, or disciplining.
- Develop, implement, manage, or evaluate policies and methods to protect personnel against harassment, threats, or violence.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- SAP software
- Amazon Web Services AWS software
- Microsoft Azure software
- Microsoft Visio
- Oracle PeopleSoft
- Alarm system software
- Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
- Emergency notification system software
- FieldSoft AIMSonScene
- Firewall software
- Graphics software
Knowledge areas
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Law and Government
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Education and Training
- Computers and Electronics