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Port Security Officer Salary in the United States

How much does a Port Security Officer make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Port Security Officer in the United States is $39,135 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $42,981
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $36,004 to $41,148
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $33,153
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View as table View as graph 25% $36,004 10% $33,153 90% $42,981 75% $41,148 $39,135 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Port Security Officer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $41,148 $3,429 $791 $20
Average $39,135 $3,261 $753 $19
25th Percentile $36,004 $3,000 $692 $17
Check out Port Security Officer Job Openings in the United States
Security Officer

Ohio History Connection - Columbus, OH

Security Officer

Acreage Holdings - Columbus, OH

Security Officer

Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio - Columbus, OH

Security Officer

Ohio Support Services - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Port Security Officer Salaries

A Port Security Officer'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 Do Port Security Officer 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 Port Security Officers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $43,330.
  • California: $43,166.
  • Massachusetts: $42,591.

Top Paying Cities for Port Security Officers

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: $49,361
  • San Francisco: $48,820
  • Oakland: $47,792

What Skills Can Increase a Port Security Officer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 28.07% Job Postings): 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.
  • Food Service (Mentioned in 2.71% Job Postings): The foodservice or catering industry includes the businesses, institutions, and companies which prepare meals outside the home.
  • CCTV (Mentioned in 1.54% Job Postings):
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 28.07%
Food Service 2.71%
CCTV 1.54%
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 Port Security Officer's salary.
  • Diversity and Inclusion: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Problem Solving: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Accountability: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Diversity and Inclusion
 $41,483
6%
Problem Solving
 $41,483
6%
Accountability
 $40,700
4%
Leadership
 $40,700
4%
Physical Security
 $40,700
4%
Commitment
 $40,309
3%
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Port Security Officer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Port Security Officer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 90% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Port Security Officer positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Port Security Officer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Port Security Officer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$54,789$26.040%
Biotechnology$50,875$24.030%
Financial Services$48,919$24.025%
Aerospace & Defense$46,962$23.020%
Software & Networking$46,962$23.020%

How Education impacts a Port Security Officer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Port Security Officers enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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 Port Security Officer with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $35,608 and $37,922).

Port Security Officer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Port Security Officer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.0%
High School 60.0%
Associates 16.9%
Bachelors 18.8%
Masters 1.9%
Doctorate 0.4%
view as graph

Port Security Officer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Port Security Officer'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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$36,004
Average $39,135/year
$41,148
$3,000
Average $3,261/month
$3,429
$692
Average $753/week
$791
$17
Average $19/hour
$20
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $41,148 $3,429 $791 $20
Average $39,135 $3,261 $753 $19
25th Percentile $36,004 $3,000 $692 $17

Salaries of jobs related to Port Security Officer

Salary Trends for Port Security Officer

Salaries for a Port Security Officer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $37,926 in 2023 to around $37,202 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Port Security Officer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Port Security Officer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$37,926
2024
$37,729
2025
$37,202
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $37,926
2024 $37,729
2025 $37,202
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Port Security Officer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Port Security Officer

Here are companies hiring for Port Security Officer and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Port Security Officer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Port Security Officer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States

  • Securitas

    Columbus, OH

    Security Officer

    Securitas | Columbus, OH

    Job DescriptionAccess Control Security OfficerWage: $18.00/ hourRequirements:Minimum of 2 years of security experience.Strong communication and de-escalati... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Columbus Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    Security Officer

    Columbus Staffing | Columbus, OH

    Security Officer - ID VerificationAllied Universal, North America's leading security and facility services company, offers rewarding careers that provide y... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Allied Universal

    Columbus, OH

    Security Officer

    Allied Universal | Columbus, OH

    Allied Universal - - Responsibilities: Provide customer service to our clients by carrying out safety and security procedures, site-specific policies and w... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Allied Universal

    Columbus, OH

    Security Officer

    Allied Universal | Columbus, OH

    Allied Universal - JobID: 1539342 [Security Officer] As a Security Guard at Allied Universal, you'll: Be responsible for the Security and Safety of the cli... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Allied Universal

    Columbus, OH

    Security Officer

    Allied Universal | Columbus, OH

    Security Officer - Hospital Grounds Patrol Overview Allied Universal , North America's leading security and facility services company, offers rewarding car... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Cologix

    Columbus, OH

    Security Officer

    Cologix | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. About Our Company. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Cologix is a leading North America network-neutral interconnection ... more

    8 Days Ago

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FAQ about Port Security Officer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Port Security Officer?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Port Security Officer roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

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.)

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