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First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers: Career Profile
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of security workers and security guards.
What Do First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers Perform?
The core tasks performed by first-line supervisors of security workers include:
- Investigate disturbances on the premises, such as security alarms, altercations, and suspicious activity.
- Patrol the premises to prevent or detect intrusion, protect property, or preserve order.
- Monitor and authorize entry of employees, visitors, or other persons.
- Secure entrances and exits by locking doors and gates.
- Write reports documenting observations made while on patrol.
- Monitor the behavior of security employees to ensure adherence to quality standards, deadlines, or procedures.
- Advise employees in handling problems or resolving complaints from customers, tenants, detainees, or other persons.
- Recruit, interview, and hire security personnel.
Key Skills and Knowledge
Effective first-line supervisors of security workers combine a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
These are the skills most important for this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Types of First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers Jobs
Common job titles for this role include:
- Armed Security Supervisor
- Armed Site Supervisor
- Campus Safety Chief
- Guard Captain
- Guard Chief
- Guard Supervisor
- Internal Security Manager
- Loss Prevention Supervisor
Employment and Demand
There are roughly 467,393 first-line supervisors of security workers working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to grow by +4.7% over the projection horizon.
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers Pay
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $75,304 |
| Hourly median | $36.20 |
| 10th percentile | $53,976 |
| 25th percentile | $64,640 |
| 75th percentile | $85,968 |
| 90th percentile | $96,632 |
Wages vary widely based on experience, location, and industry.
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers Salary by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $83,110 |
| District of Columbia | $78,290 |
| Indiana | $77,720 |
| New Hampshire | $76,920 |
| Virginia | $72,600 |
| Alaska | $70,990 |
| Rhode Island | $67,350 |
| Delaware | $66,390 |
| Washington | $66,310 |
| Missouri | $65,250 |
| Montana | $64,300 |
| New Jersey | $64,170 |
| Wisconsin | $63,510 |
| Maryland | $63,490 |
| North Carolina | $61,990 |
| Hawaii | $61,300 |
| Massachusetts | $61,180 |
| South Dakota | $60,550 |
| California | $60,000 |
| Vermont | $59,630 |
| New York | $59,130 |
| Connecticut | $58,800 |
| Idaho | $58,350 |
| Arkansas | $58,130 |
| Maine | $58,060 |
| Oregon | $58,030 |
| New Mexico | $57,930 |
| Illinois | $57,570 |
| Ohio | $57,550 |
| Kansas | $57,550 |
| Arizona | $57,170 |
| Colorado | $56,860 |
| Texas | $55,940 |
| North Dakota | $55,340 |
| Nevada | $55,230 |
| Louisiana | $53,510 |
| Utah | $51,570 |
| Florida | $50,490 |
| Kentucky | $50,340 |
| Oklahoma | $50,070 |
| Michigan | $49,800 |
| Georgia | $49,770 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,420 |
| West Virginia | $48,810 |
| Wyoming | $48,780 |
| South Carolina | $48,050 |
| Iowa | $48,050 |
| Nebraska | $47,430 |
| Alabama | $46,360 |
| Virgin Islands | $46,020 |
| Tennessee | $44,300 |
| Mississippi | $44,050 |
| Guam | $32,320 |
| Puerto Rico | $22,350 |
Pay by U.S. Region
Pay for first-line supervisors of security workers shift depending on where you work. The following regions pay the most:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plains States | $66,546 | 4.8% | 0.72 |
| New England | $61,965 | 3.7% | 0.82 |
| Far Western US | $59,916 | 19.9% | 1.43 |
| Middle Atlantic | $59,676 | 19.8% | 1.38 |
| Great Lakes | $59,597 | 11.6% | 0.87 |
| Rocky Mountains | $56,338 | 2.9% | 0.80 |
| Southwest | $55,338 | 11.7% | 1.05 |
| Southeast | $52,848 | 24.0% | 1.03 |
Where the Jobs Cluster
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | WA | $110,250 | 60 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | IN | $92,660 | 30 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | IN | $90,500 | 790 |
| Rochester, MN | MN | $83,270 | 30 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | MN | $83,150 | 890 |
| Bloomington, IN | IN | $79,620 | 50 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | DC | $76,380 | 1,760 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | AR | $76,030 | 230 |
Which Industries Hire First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers
Most first-line supervisors of security workers are found across these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 35,620 | $52,750 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 6,320 | $50,070 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 5,410 | $62,240 |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 5,350 | $55,860 |
| Educational Services | 3,910 | $65,040 |
| Retail Trade | 3,420 | $66,310 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 1,820 | $77,460 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 1,490 | $72,590 |
Below are examples of industries where first-line supervisors of security workers work:
Software First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers Use
- Data base user interface and query software: Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
What the Workplace Is Like
The on-the-job environment of first-line supervisors of security workers is shaped by the following characteristics:
- Contact With Others
- Telephone Conversations
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
- Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers
How to Become First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers
Entry-level first-line supervisors of security workers positions require an associate’s degree as the typical entry-level education. This career aligns with Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.
Related Careers
Similar Occupations
- Security Managers (Primary-Short)
- Security Management Specialists (Primary-Short)
- First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers (Primary-Long)
- First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives (Supplemental)
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers (Supplemental)
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (Supplemental)
- Transit and Railroad Police (Supplemental)
- Security Guards (Primary-Long)
References
This profile draws on the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 33-1091.00 (First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers).