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Director of Security Operations Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Director of Security Operations in the United States is $165,092 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $79.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $200,032
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $150,189 to $183,381
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $136,621
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View as table View as graph 25% $150,189 10% $136,621 90% $200,032 75% $183,381 $165,092 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Director of Security Operations Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $183,381 $15,282 $3,527 $88
Average $165,092 $13,758 $3,175 $79
25th Percentile $150,189 $12,516 $2,888 $72
Check out Director of Security Operations Job Openings in the United States
Director of Operations

DLL Landscaping & Tree Service - Columbus, OH

Director of Operations

EASTON. - Columbus, OH

Director of Operations

Allied Universal - Columbus, OH

Director of Operations

Atwell, LLC - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Director of Security Operations Salaries

A Director of Security Operations'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Director of Security Operations Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Director of Security Operations'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $87,227
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $102,112
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $146,541
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $163,747
  • Expert (over 8 years): $212,564
Levels Salary
Security ... Level Director of Security Operations$87,227
Security ... Level Director of Security Operations$102,112
Security ... Level Director of Security Operations$146,541
Director ... Level Director of Security Operations$163,747
VP of Sec... Level Director of Security Operations$212,564
$87,227 0 yr
$102,112 < 2 yrs
$146,541 2-4 yrs
$163,747 5-8 yrs
$212,564 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Director of Security Operations 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 Director of Security Operations. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $182,790.
  • California: $182,096.
  • Massachusetts: $179,670.

Top Paying Cities for Director of Security Operations

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: $208,231
  • San Francisco: $205,951
  • Oakland: $201,610

What Skills Can Increase a Director of Security Operations's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 6.37% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • CPR (Mentioned in 2.41% Job Postings): Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) combines rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth) and chest compressions to temporarily pump enough blood to the brain until specialized treatment is available.
  • Equipment Operation (Mentioned in 2.12% Job Postings): This is skilled and unskilled work in the operation of mechanical tools and light to heavy equipment used in maintenance and construction or on the grounds of state properties or facilities and routine maintenance of that equipment.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 6.37%
CPR 2.41%
Equipment Operation 2.12%
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 Director of Security Operations's salary.
  • Customer Focus: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Environment Management: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Facilities Management: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Customer Focus
 $184,903
12%
Environment Management
 $179,950
9%
Facilities Management
 $176,648
7%
Billing
 $174,998
6%
Conflict Management
 $174,998
6%
Motivating
 $171,696
4%
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Director of Security Operations Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Director of Security Operations roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Director of Security Operations positions in Retail & Wholesale or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Director of Security Operations as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Director of Security Operations

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$198,110$95.020%
Biotechnology$198,110$95.020%
Financial Services$198,110$95.020%
Pharmaceuticals$198,110$95.020%
Software & Networking$198,110$95.020%

Director of Security Operations Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Director of Security Operations'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
$150,189
Average $165,092/year
$183,381
$12,516
Average $13,758/month
$15,282
$2,888
Average $3,175/week
$3,527
$72
Average $79/hour
$88
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $183,381 $15,282 $3,527 $88
Average $165,092 $13,758 $3,175 $79
25th Percentile $150,189 $12,516 $2,888 $72

Salaries of jobs related to Director of Security Operations

Salary Trends for Director of Security Operations

Salaries for a Director of Security Operations can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $150,659 in 2023 to around $147,657 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Director of Security Operations salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Director of Security Operations Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$150,659
2024
$151,672
2025
$147,657
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $150,659
2024 $151,672
2025 $147,657
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Director of Security Operations

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Director of Security Operations

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

Find Your Next Director of Security Operations Job

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

United States

  • DINE RIGHT EAT WELL CONSULTING LLC

    Columbus, OH

    Operations Director

    DINE RIGHT EAT WELL CONSULTING LLC | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Operations Director. Reports to. Executive. Director/Administrator. Dulla Care Home Healthcare is creating the most advan... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Chick-fil-A Grandview Yard

    Columbus, OH

    Director of Operations

    Chick-fil-A Grandview Yard | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. The role of Director of Operations, PM role is one that embodies character, chemistry, competency, capacity, and the entr... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Central Ohio Transit Authority

    Columbus, OH

    Director LinkUS Safety& Security

    Central Ohio Transit Authority | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. SALARY: $115,398.40. $135,761.60LOCATION. 33 N. High St. Columbus, OH. 43215BENEFITS:Medical. Vision, Dental, Supplementa... more

    1 Day Ago

  • AndHealth

    Columbus, OH

    Director Strategic Operations

    AndHealth | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Director, Strategic Operations. Full Time. Columbus, OH. AndHealth is on a mission to radically improve access and outcom... more

    2 Days Ago

  • CareCore Health

    Columbus, OH

    Regional Director of Operations

    CareCore Health | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Are you a strategic, people-driven leader with a passion for senior care. Do you hold an active Ohio LNHA License. CareCo... more

    4 Days Ago

  • FirstKey Homes LLC

    Columbus, OH

    Assistant District Operations Director

    FirstKey Homes LLC | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. This position will be based out of Indianapolis office. Relocation is required. 8227 Northwest Boulevard. Indianapolis, I... more

    4 Days Ago

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FAQ about Director of Security Operations

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Director of Security Operations?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Director of Security Operations roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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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