Security Managers
Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.
Also called: Chief Security Officer (CSO), Cloud Security Manager, Corporate Physical Security Supervisor, Corporate Security Director, Corporate Security Manager, Global Security Manager
Median pay
$106,660
Pay for the broader BLS group “Facilities Managers”
Pay range (10th–90th)
$64,480 – $176,120
People employed
156,180
Whole BLS group
Holland code
ECI
Enterprising · Conventional · Investigative
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 working more than 40 hours a week?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
- Dealing with conflict is part of the job
Security Managers 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 “Facilities Managers”.
What security managers do
- 01Develop budgets for security operations.
- 02Identify, investigate, or resolve security breaches.
- 03Plan, direct, or coordinate security activities to safeguard company employees, guests, or others on company property.
- 04Direct or participate in emergency management and contingency planning.
- 05Respond to medical emergencies, bomb threats, fire alarms, or intrusion alarms, following emergency response procedures.
- 06Analyze and evaluate security operations to identify risks or opportunities for improvement through auditing, review, or assessment.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Speaking
- Writing
Knowledge
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Law and Government
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
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: 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 security managers
- Emergency Management Directors92% · —
- Compliance Managers89% · group pay
- Security Management Specialists89% · group pay
- Loss Prevention Managers88% · group pay
- Business Continuity Planners87% · group pay
Change into security managers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Loss Prevention Managers94% · $141,900
- Emergency Management Directors92% · $93,330
- Security Management Specialists89% · $83,050
- Business Continuity Planners87% · $83,050
- Compliance Managers86% · $141,900
Majors that lead here
- Engineering/Industrial Management
- Facilities Planning and Management
- Historic Preservation and Conservation, General
- Historic Preservation and Conservation, Other
- Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management, General
- Building/Property Maintenance
- Building/Construction Site Management/Manager
- Hospital and Health Care Facilities Administration/Management
- Business/Commerce, General
- Business Administration and Management, General
- Purchasing, Procurement/Acquisitions and Contracts Management
- Operations Management and Supervision
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.