All About Security Managers

Occupation Description Direct an organization’s security functions, including physical security and safety of employees, facilities, and assets.

Life As a Security Manager: What Do They Do?

• Create or implement security standards, policies, and procedures.
• Analyze and evaluate security operations to identify risks or opportunities for improvement through auditing, review, or assessment.
• Develop, recommend, or manage security procedures for operations or processes, such as security call centers, system acquisition, development, and maintenance, access control, program models, or reporting tools.
• Train subordinate security professionals or other organization members in security rules and procedures.
• Attend meetings, professional seminars, or conferences to keep abreast of changes in executive legislative directives or new technologies impacting security operations.
• Assess risks to mitigate potential consequences of incidents and develop a plan to respond to incidents.

Things a Security Manager Should Know How to Do

Security Managers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Related Job Titles for this Occupation:

• Corporate Security Manager
• Security Specialist
• Security Director
• Corporate Physical Security Supervisor
• Chief Security Officer (CSO)

Security Manager Job Outlook

There were about 992,100 jobs for Security Manager in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 79,600 new jobs for Security Manager by 2026. The BLS estimates 79,200 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Security Manager are Utah, Washington, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Maine, or Maryland. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Do Security Managers Make A Lot Of Money?

The salary for Security Managers ranges between about $52,550 and $183,430 a year.

Security Managers who work in District of Columbia, Virginia, or California, make the highest salaries.

How much do Security Managers make in different U.S. states?

State	Annual Mean Salary
Alabama	$106,680
Alaska	$118,650
Arizona	$101,630
Arkansas	$86,410
California	$143,350
Colorado	$138,490
Connecticut	$129,730
Delaware	$134,410
District of Columbia	$147,460
Florida	$99,240
Georgia	$118,060
Hawaii	$93,760
Idaho	$85,070
Illinois	$90,080
Indiana	$71,560
Iowa	$101,360
Kansas	$102,560
Kentucky	$92,630
Louisiana	$87,080
Maine	$96,570
Maryland	$122,050
Massachusetts	$131,450
Michigan	$98,780
Minnesota	$128,590
Mississippi	$82,230
Missouri	$97,820
Montana	$76,990
Nebraska	$101,380
Nevada	$102,060
New Hampshire	$123,580
New Jersey	$138,820
New Mexico	$96,490
New York	$124,160
North Carolina	$121,500
North Dakota	$109,820
Ohio	$107,320
Oklahoma	$102,710
Oregon	$94,400
Pennsylvania	$126,290
Rhode Island	$114,660
South Carolina	$100,890
South Dakota	$99,030
Tennessee	$83,010
Texas	$122,130
Utah	$102,290
Vermont	$105,950
Virginia	$134,500
Washington	$125,490
West Virginia	$77,290
Wisconsin	$85,050
Wyoming	$100,310

What Tools & Technology do Security Managers Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Security Managers may use on a daily basis:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Outlook
• Web browser software
• Microsoft Access
• Data entry software
• Microsoft Visio
• Facebook
• Oracle PeopleSoft
• Computer aided design CAD software
• Graphics software
• Inventory tracking software
• Symantec
• McAfee
• Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
• Twitter
• Work scheduling software
• Mapping software

How do I Become a Security Manager?

Individuals working as a Security Manager have obtained the following education levels:

What work experience do I need to become a Security Manager?

Where do Security Managers Work?

Below are examples of industries where Security Managers work:

References:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• College Factual
• O*NET Online

Image Credit: Mike Moore via public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.