Directly supervise and coordinate activities of security workers and security guards.
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of security workers and security guards.
What does a First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers do?
How much can you earn?
National Salary Distribution
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $56,130 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $46,070 and $74,700
- •Salary spread is 48.8% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 70,310 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Current Employment
Top Industries
10-Year Outlook
Employment Projections
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers professionals work across the United States
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
Skills Overview
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Active Listening
advancedPublic Safety and Security
advancedProblem Sensitivity
advancedSpeaking
advancedAdministration and Management
advancedOral Comprehension
advancedCustomer and Personal Service
intermediateJudgment and Decision Making
intermediateOral Expression
intermediatePersonnel and Human Resources
intermediateReading Comprehension
basicLaw and Government
intermediateHighly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Public Safety and Security
- ✓Administration and Management
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
- →Monitoring
- →Management of Personnel Resources
- →English Language
Mid Career
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Public Safety and Security
- ✓Administration and Management
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
Senior Level
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Public Safety and Security
- ★Customer and Personal Service
- ★Personnel and Human Resources
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
Key Digital Competencies:
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly outdoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
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.
🟡💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers professionals typically have a ECR Holland code
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Leadership
CriticalLeadership
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Complete Work Styles Profile
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Preparation Level
Experience Needed
📚 Education Requirement
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers
Top trade colleges by completions in fields that prepare students for this career.
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
994 program completions/year
East Los Angeles College
Monterey Park, CA
954 program completions/year
Eastern Gateway Community College
Steubenville, OH
791 program completions/year
Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, CA
660 program completions/year
Community College of Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD
516 program completions/year
Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, CA
488 program completions/year
Southwestern Illinois College
Belleville, IL
482 program completions/year
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, NC
477 program completions/year
Camden County College
Blackwood, NJ
441 program completions/year
Victor Valley College
Victorville, CA
388 program completions/year
Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA
366 program completions/year
San Bernardino Valley College
San Bernardino, CA
363 program completions/year
From the Blog

MIG vs TIG vs Stick: Which Welding Process to Learn First
A practical comparison of the three core arc-welding processes — MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), and Stick (SMAW) — covering difficulty, industry use, equipment cost, BLS pay implications, and what welding programs actually teach first so you can match the process you learn first to the job you actually want.

Trade Careers You Can Start After 50: A Realistic, Data-Driven Guide
A practical guide for adults 50 and older considering a career in the skilled trades — covering which trades suit mature workers, the financial calculus of a shorter career runway, health insurance during training, and how life experience becomes a genuine advantage on the job site.

The Skilled Trades Shortage: What It Means for New Graduates
The U.S. faces a massive skilled trades worker shortage — 349,000 construction workers needed in 2026 alone. Here's what the data says and why it creates historic opportunity for anyone entering the trades.