Security Management Specialists
SOC code 13-1199 · O*NET-SOC 13-1199.07 · Considerable preparation needed · Business and finance
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects numerous job openings for this occupation
Security management specialists assess and manage an organisation's physical or information security risks. Many come from military, law-enforcement or IT backgrounds, and the role has grown steadily as both cyber and physical security budgets have expanded.
Security Management Specialists pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$83,050
a year
Hourly
$39.93
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$93,970
$45.18 per hour
Middle 50%
$62,640 – $114,010
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$47,880 – $150,010
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
1,087,090
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Business Operations Specialists, All Other”, not this job alone.
- 10th percentile
- $47,880
- $23.02/hr
- 25th percentile
- $62,640
- $30.12/hr
- Median percentile
- $83,050
- $39.93/hr
- 75th percentile
- $114,010
- $54.81/hr
- 90th percentile
- $150,010
- $72.12/hr
What does a security management specialist do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
How to become a security management specialist
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 65% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree65%
- Post-Secondary Certificate10%
- Some College Courses10%
- Master's Degree10%
Common questions
How much does a security management specialist earn?
The national median is $83,050 a year. The full range runs from $47,880 at the 10th percentile to $150,010 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a security management specialist without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening4.1/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Reading Comprehension3.9/5
- Writing3.6/5
- Monitoring3.6/5
Knowledge areas
- Public Safety and Security4.7/5
- English Language4.2/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.0/5
- Computers and Electronics3.9/5
- Administration and Management3.9/5
- Law and Government3.8/5
- Personnel and Human Resources3.4/5
- Education and Training3.1/5
Transferable strengths: Judgment and Decision Making, Coordination, Complex Problem Solving, Systems Analysis.