Campus Security Director Salary in the United States

How much does a Campus Security Director make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Campus Security Director in the United States is $130,330 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $63.

However, a Campus Security Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $152,207
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $108,643 to $141,781
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $88,898

Key Factors That Influence Campus Security Director Salaries

A Campus Security Director's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Campus Security Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Campus Security Director's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Campus Police Officer (2-4 years): $59,012
  • Campus Police Supervisor (4-5 years): $68,037
  • Campus Security Director (5+ years): $130,330
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Campus Police Officer2-4 years$59,012
Campus Police Supervisor4-5 years$68,037
Campus Security Director5+ years$130,330

How Do Campus Security Directors Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Campus Security Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $144,301.
  • California: $143,754.
  • Massachusetts: $141,838.

Top Paying Cities for Campus Security Director

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $164,385
  • San Francisco: $162,585
  • Oakland: $159,159

What Skills Can Increase a Campus Security Director's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 11.8% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Public Administration (Mentioned in 1.86% Job Postings): Public administration is a field in which leaders serve communities to advance the common good and effect positive change.
  • Fire Investigation (Mentioned in 1.24% Job Postings): Fire investigation, sometimes referred to as origin and cause investigation, is the analysis of fire-related incidents. After firefighters extinguish a fire, an investigation is launched to determine the origin and cause of the fire or explosion.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 11.8%
Public Administration 1.86%
Fire Investigation 1.24%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Campus Security Director's salary.

  • Illustration: Can increase your salary by up to 23%.
  • Physical Security: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Risk Assessment: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Illustration $160,306
23%
Physical Security $151,183
16%
Risk Assessment $145,970
12%

Campus Security Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Campus Security Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $134,500. While startup companies pay approximate $114,927.

Campus Security Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $114,927
Growth Stage 51~500 $121,257
Established 501~5000 $130,206
Enterprise 5000+ $134,500

Campus Security Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Campus Security Director roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 0% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 12% above the average. Conversely, Campus Security Director positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Campus Security Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Campus Security Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$146,621$70.012%

How Education impacts an Campus Security Director's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Campus Security Director enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Campus Security Director with a Bachelor's Degree is between $97,856 and $112,078.

Campus Security Director Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Campus Security Director
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.0%
High School 16.7%
Associates 10.8%
Bachelors 41.2%
Masters 27.5%
Doctorate 2.9%

Campus Security Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Campus Security Director's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$108,643
Average $130,330/year
$141,781
$9,054
Average $10,861/month
$11,815
$2,089
Average $2,506/week
$2,727
$52
Average $63/hour
$68
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $141,781 $11,815 $2,727 $68
Average $130,330 $10,861 $2,506 $63
25th Percentile $108,643 $9,054 $2,089 $52

Most common benefits for Campus Security Director

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Campus Security Director

Here are companies hiring for Campus Security Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Campus Security Director

1. Where can a Campus Security Director earn the most?

A Campus Security Director's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Campus Security Director earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Campus Security Director is $164,385.

2. What is the highest pay for Campus Security Director?

The highest pay for Campus Security Director is $152,207.

3. What is the lowest pay for Campus Security Director?

The lowest pay for Campus Security Director is $88,898.

4. What are the responsibilities of Campus Security Director?

Directs and implements security and safety policies and procedures on campus. Manages the work activities of campus police and patrol units. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a senior institutional officer. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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