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.
Security Management Specialists
SOC: 13-1199 O*NET: 13-1199.07
Median Salary
$83,050
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
108.2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
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.
What does a Security Management Specialists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$47,880
10th percentile
Early Career
$62,640
25th percentile
Median
$83,050
50th percentile
Experienced
$114,010
75th percentile
Top Earners
$150,010
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$47,880
25th
$62,640
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$83,050
Mean: $93,970
75th
$114,010
90th
$150,010
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $102,130 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $62,640 and $114,010
- •Salary spread is 61.9% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 1,087,090 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:1,205,700
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services13.7%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services13.7%
Finance and Insurance6.9%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+3%
Annual Openings:108,200
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)1,205,700
Current
2034 (Projected)1,242,000
+3%
+36,300
Employment Change
+3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Security Management Specialists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
155,000 jobs$87,5701.22x
Texas
104,270 jobs$80,8201.06x
Georgia
67,450 jobs$78,4101.97x
Florida
66,230 jobs$79,6500.95x
Washington
51,650 jobs$100,3602.08x
Colorado
45,670 jobs$92,5202.27x
Virginia
45,160 jobs$85,2001.57x
North Carolina
41,180 jobs$80,2301.19x
Maryland
39,820 jobs$101,5002.06x
District of Columbia
37,790 jobs$108,1607.70x
New Jersey
34,210 jobs$91,0601.14x
Illinois
32,940 jobs$82,0700.77x
Ohio
31,690 jobs$79,3500.82x
New York
28,790 jobs$83,4500.43x
Pennsylvania
27,250 jobs$80,5900.64x
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 2025
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Administration and Management
100%
#2
Reading Comprehension
100%
#3
Written Expression
100%
#4
Speaking
94%
#5
Law and Government
92%
#6
Written Comprehension
92%
#7
Writing
86%
#8
Education and Training
82%
#9
Oral Expression
82%
#10
Critical Thinking
80%
Skills Overview
Administration and Management
advanced5.0
100%
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Written Expression
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Law and Government
advanced4.6
92%
Written Comprehension
advanced4.6
92%
Writing
intermediate4.3
86%
Education and Training
intermediate4.1
82%
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.
Filter:
Sort by:
Administration and Management
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Written Expression
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Law and Government
advancedImportance92%
knowledge
4.6/5.0
Written Comprehension
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Education and Training
intermediateImportance82%
knowledge
4.1/5.0
Oral Expression
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
English Language
intermediateImportance74%
knowledge
3.7/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists100%
5 shared skills
Environmental Engineers100%
5 shared skills
Accountants and Auditors82%
5 shared skills
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers82%
5 shared skills
Precision Agriculture Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Air Traffic Controllers82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Writing
- ✓Administration and Management
- ✓Law and Government
- ✓Education and Training
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Building and Construction
- →Customer and Personal Service
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Writing
- ✓Administration and Management
- ✓Law and Government
- ✓Education and Training
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Writing
- ★Law and Government
- ★Education and Training
- ★Reading Comprehension
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 Security Management Specialists
Technology Intensity
Low
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires basic digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Email and internet usageBasic software navigationFile management
Technology Stack
Technology stack information is being compiled for 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?
🏗️
Location
Varies
💪
Physical Demand
LOW
👥
Team Orientation
Varies
🤝
Customer Interaction
NONE
💡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 varies environments?
- •Can you meet low physical demands?
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Security Management Specialists
💡 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?
Security Management Specialists professionals typically have a CIR Holland code
CConventional
IInvestigative
RRealistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Security Management Specialists
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.85
Adaptability/Flexibility
CriticalAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.55
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.55
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.55
Analytical Thinking
Very ImportantAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.32
Leadership
Very ImportantLeadership
Importance Level4.32
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.5
Dependability
4.5
Analytical Thinking
4.3
Leadership
4.3
Stress Tolerance
4.3
Self-Control
4.3
Initiative
4.2
Cooperation
4.2
💡 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
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Security Management Specialists.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Security Management Specialists
Top trade colleges by completions in fields that prepare students for this career.
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
5.0k program completions/year
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA
2.8k program completions/year
Eastern Gateway Community College
Steubenville, OH
2.5k program completions/year
Lee College
Baytown, TX
1.6k program completions/year
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC
1.3k program completions/year
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, NC
1.3k program completions/year
Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA
1.3k program completions/year
Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA
1.2k program completions/year
Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA
1.2k program completions/year
Irvine Valley College
Irvine, CA
1.0k program completions/year
Connecticut State Community College
New Britain, CT
978 program completions/year
Mesa Community College
Mesa, AZ
897 program completions/year