First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers

33-1091.00 Zone 2 — Some Preparation Needed

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of security workers and security guards.

Also known as: Armed Security Supervisor, Armed Site Supervisor, Campus Safety Chief, Guard Captain, Guard Chief, Guard Supervisor, Internal Security Manager, Loss Prevention Supervisor, ...

Annual Salary

$58,610

Median annual wage (May 2024)

$46,070 25th – 75th percentile $74,700
10th percentile $37,800
90th percentile $93,930
U.S. Employment: 70,310

Job Outlook

+2.7%

Projected growth, 2024–2034 (About average)

Annual Job Openings 7,000 per year (avg. 2024–2034)
Typical education: High school diploma or equivalent
Experience: Less than 5 years

What You'd Do

  • Advise employees in handling problems or resolving complaints from customers, tenants, detainees, or other persons.
  • Apprehend or evict trespassers, rule violators, or other security threats from the premises.
  • Assign security personnel to posts or patrols.
  • Call police or fire departments in cases of emergency, such as fire, bomb threats, and presence of unauthorized persons.
  • Develop and document security procedures, policies, or standards.
  • Explain company policies and procedures to staff using oral or written communication.
  • Inspect and adjust security equipment to ensure it is operational or to detect evidence of tampering.
  • Investigate disturbances on the premises, such as security alarms, altercations, and suspicious activity.
  • Log items distributed to persons, such as keys and key cards.
  • Monitor and authorize entry of employees, visitors, or other persons.

Top Skills

Active Listening 4.0
Reading Comprehension 3.9
Speaking 3.9
Critical Thinking 3.9
Judgment and Decision Making 3.9
Management of Personnel Resources 3.8
Monitoring 3.8
Writing 3.6

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Knowledge Areas

Public Safety and Security 4.9
Administration and Management 4.6
Customer and Personal Service 4.4
Personnel and Human Resources 4.4
Law and Government 4.4
English Language 4.4
Administrative 4.1
Education and Training 3.9

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level

Associate's
29.8%
High School
27.7%
Some College
26.1%
Bachelor's
11.4%
Certificate
5%

Technology & Tools

Software and tools commonly used in this role

In-Demand Technologies

Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word

Other Tools

Employee scheduling software Enterprise resource planning ERP software Oracle software SAP business and customer relations management software Time and attendance software

Work Styles

Personality traits and work styles important for this career

2.9
Dependability
2.9
Integrity
2.5
Leadership Orientation
2.5
Cautiousness
2.4
Self-Control
2.2
Stress Tolerance
2.1
Attention to Detail

Key Abilities

Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role

Oral Comprehension 4.0
Oral Expression 4.0
Problem Sensitivity 4.0
Inductive Reasoning 4.0
Far Vision 3.9
Near Vision 3.9
Deductive Reasoning 3.9
Speech Recognition 3.9

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Activities

General types of job behaviors occurring on this job

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates 4.6
Making Decisions and Solving Problems 4.6
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events 4.6
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others 4.3
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates 4.1
Getting Information 4.0
Developing and Building Teams 4.0
Coaching and Developing Others 4.0

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Environment

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work

Contact With Others
5.0
Telephone Conversations
5.0
E-Mail
4.9
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
4.9
Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers
4.8
Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
4.8
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
4.7
Frequency of Decision Making
4.7
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
4.7
Freedom to Make Decisions
4.6
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
4.6
Health and Safety of Other Workers
4.6

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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.