Security Management Specialists
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.
Also called: Cloud Security Consultant, Cyber Risk Consultant, Cybersecurity Analyst, Cybersecurity Associate, Cybersecurity Consultant, Cybersecurity Risk Analyst
Median pay
$83,050
Pay for the broader BLS group “Business Operations Specialists, All Other”
Pay range (10th–90th)
$47,880 – $150,010
People employed
1,087,090
Whole BLS group
Holland code
CIR
Conventional · Investigative · 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 OK with hours that change?
- 2.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 3.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 4.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Security Management Specialists pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, for the broader group “Business Operations Specialists, All Other”.
What security management specialists do
- 01Assess the nature and level of physical security threats so that the scope of the problem can be determined.
- 02Respond to emergency situations on an on-call basis.
- 03Recommend improvements in security systems or procedures.
- 04Perform risk analyses so that appropriate countermeasures can be developed.
- 05Inspect physical security design features, installations, or programs to ensure compliance with applicable standards or regulations.
- 06Conduct security audits to identify potential vulnerabilities related to physical security or staff safety.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Monitoring
Knowledge
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Computers and Electronics
- Administration and Management
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Achievement Orientation
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 4 years, up to and including 6 years.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
- 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 security management specialists
- Security Managers89% · group pay
- Compliance Managers86% · group pay
- Emergency Management Directors85% · —
- Digital Forensics Analysts84% · group pay
- Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors83% · —
Change into security management specialists
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Loss Prevention Managers91% · $141,900
- Security Managers89% · $106,660
- Emergency Management Directors87% · $93,330
- Digital Forensics Analysts84% · $116,580
- Compliance Managers83% · $141,900
Majors that lead here
- Business Administration and Management, General
- E-Commerce/Electronic Commerce
- Business Operations Support and Secretarial Services, Other
- Hotel/Motel Administration/Management
- International Business/Trade/Commerce
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.