First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of security workers and security guards.
Also called: Armed Security Supervisor, Armed Site Supervisor, Campus Safety Chief, Guard Captain, Guard Chief, Guard Supervisor
Median pay
$55,940
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$37,300 – $92,260
People employed
81,480
Holland code
ECR
Enterprising · Conventional · Realistic
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 2.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 3.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 4.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 5.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 6.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 7.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
The hard parts
- Dealing with conflict is part of the job
- Work outdoors in all weather
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers salary in every state →
What first-line supervisors of security workers do
- 01Investigate disturbances on the premises, such as security alarms, altercations, and suspicious activity.
- 02Patrol the premises to prevent or detect intrusion, protect property, or preserve order.
- 03Monitor and authorize entry of employees, visitors, or other persons.
- 04Secure entrances and exits by locking doors and gates.
- 05Write reports documenting observations made while on patrol.
- 06Monitor the behavior of security employees to ensure adherence to quality standards, deadlines, or procedures.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Writing
Knowledge
- Public Safety and Security
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Law and Government
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Self-Control
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
- A professional certification is often expected.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from first-line supervisors of security workers
- First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers85% · −12%
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers82% · +24%
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services79% · −13%
- Gambling Managers79% · +67%
- First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services Workers78% · +14%
Change into first-line supervisors of security workers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Retail Loss Prevention Specialists89% · $42,540
- Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators87% · $43,370
- Correctional Officers and Jailers84% · $58,940
- First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers84% · $48,590
- Security Guards83% · $38,020
Majors that lead here
- Security and Loss Prevention Services
- Securities Services Administration/Management
- Homeland Security, Other
- Security Science and Technology, General
- Security Science and Technology, Other
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.