As of May 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Security Specialist in the United States is $30, which translates to an annual salary of about $63,118.
However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:
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A Security Specialist'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Security Specialist'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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Security Specialist | 2-4 years | $63,118 |
| Senior Security Specialist | 4-7 years | $85,571 |
| Security Supervisor | 7+ years | $68,197 |
| Security Supervisor, Senior | 7+ years | $89,636 |
| Security Manager | 7+ years | $104,940 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Security Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Customer Service | 11.09% |
| Case Management | 2.46% |
| Sales and Marketing | 1.64% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Category Management
|
$100,358 |
59%
|
|
Customer Engagement
|
$79,529 |
26%
|
|
Brand Awareness
|
$74,479 |
18%
|
|
Services Marketing
|
$72,586 |
15%
|
|
Sales and Marketing
|
$72,586 |
15%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$68,799 |
9%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Security Specialists enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Security Specialist with a Associate's Degree is between $64,745 and $71,842).
Security Specialist Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 25.0% |
| High School | 25.0% |
| Associates | 6.3% |
| Bachelors | 56.3% |
| Masters | 12.5% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how a Security Specialist'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 May 01, 2026Salaries for a Security Specialist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $55,120 in 2023 to around $54,768 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Security Specialist salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $55,120 |
| 2024 | $54,997 |
| 2025 | $54,768 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
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|
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Administers, coordinates, and evaluates security programs that support the strategy, policies, and standards established for the physical safety of all visitors, employees, or customers to the organization's facilities and the security of property and assets. Compiles data and analyzes results of audits, inspections, daily logs, and incident reports to assess security vulnerabilities, measure program effectiveness, and identify the need for additional resources. Coordinates any required security clearance processing or investigative research for employees or job candidates with applicable entities. Assists with the development of training, education programs, and communications on security policies and topics to ensure staff is prepared for potential security issues, crisis response, disaster recovery, evacuation, workplace violence, and other emergency events. Monitors communications and stays informed about local, state, provincial, or federal security-related information, directives, and events. May coordinate or assist with investigations and critical event responses in coordination with law enforcement and other officials. Understands law enforcement methods, tactics, and procedures. Typically requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Typically reports to a head of a unit/department. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience.
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
Customer Service: Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
Case Management: Connecting patients with suitable healthcare providers, resources, and services to ensure they receive optimal, cost-effective care.
Sales and Marketing: Marketing consists of the strategies your company employs to generate interest in your business. Sales are the methods by which you convert that interest into a transaction.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
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