Security Managers
SOC code 11-3013 · O*NET-SOC 11-3013.01 · Considerable preparation needed
Security Managers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$106,660
a year
Hourly
$51.28
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$116,890
$56.20 per hour
Middle 50%
$82,020 – $138,870
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$64,480 – $176,120
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
156,180
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 “Facilities Managers”, not this job alone.
- 10th percentile
- $64,480
- $31.00/hr
- 25th percentile
- $82,020
- $39.43/hr
- Median percentile
- $106,660
- $51.28/hr
- 75th percentile
- $138,870
- $66.76/hr
- 90th percentile
- $176,120
- $84.67/hr
What does a security manager do?
Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
How to become a security manager
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 70% 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 Degree70%
- Master's Degree15%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree10%
- Post-Secondary Certificate5%
Common questions
How much does a security manager earn?
The national median is $106,660 a year. The full range runs from $64,480 at the 10th percentile to $176,120 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 manager 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
- Critical Thinking4.3/5
- Reading Comprehension4.1/5
- Active Listening4.1/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Monitoring4.0/5
- Writing3.8/5
Knowledge areas
- Public Safety and Security4.9/5
- English Language4.3/5
- Law and Government4.2/5
- Administration and Management4.2/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.1/5
- Personnel and Human Resources3.8/5
- Education and Training3.6/5
- Computers and Electronics3.5/5
Transferable strengths: Judgment and Decision Making, Social Perceptiveness, Complex Problem Solving, Coordination.