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Security Officer 1 Salary in the United States

How much does a Security Officer 1 make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Security Officer 1 in the United States is $37,893 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $18.

However, a Security Officer 1's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $41,314
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $35,243 to $39,684
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $32,829
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Security Officer 1 Salaries

A Security Officer 1's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Security Officer 1 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 Security Officer 1s. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $41,955.
  • California: $41,796.
  • Massachusetts: $41,239.

Top Paying Cities for Security Officer 1s

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: $47,795
  • San Francisco: $47,271
  • Oakland: $46,275

What Skills Can Increase a Security Officer 1'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):
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 28.07%
Food Service 2.71%
CCTV 1.54%
See More Skills

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 Security Officer 1'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 $40,167
6%
Problem Solving $40,167
6%
Accountability $39,409
4%
Get Latest Data

Security Officer 1 Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Security Officer 1 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, Security Officer positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Security Officer 1 as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Security Officer 1

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$53,050$26.040%
Biotechnology$49,261$24.030%
Financial Services$47,366$23.025%
Aerospace & Defense$45,472$22.020%
Software & Networking$45,472$22.020%

How Education impacts a Security Officer 1's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Security Officer 1s 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 Security Officer 1 with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $35,608 and $37,922).

Security Officer 1 Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Security Officer 1
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

Security Officer 1 Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Security Officer 1'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 October 01, 2026
$35,243
Average $37,893/year
$39,684
$2,937
Average $3,158/month
$3,307
$678
Average $729/week
$763
$17
Average $18/hour
$19
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $39,684 $3,307 $763 $19
Average $37,893 $3,158 $729 $18
25th Percentile $35,243 $2,937 $678 $17

Most common benefits for Security Officer 1

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

Common company salaries for Security Officer 1

Here are companies hiring for Security Officer 1 and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Security Officer 1

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

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Security Officer 1 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.)

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

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