Career profile · SOC 13-1199.07

Security Management Specialists

Conduct security assessments for organizations, and design security systems and processes. May specialize in areas such as physical security or the safety of employees and facilities.

Security Management Specialists conduct security assessments for organizations, and design security systems and processes. May specialize in areas such as physical security or the safety of employees and facilities. The role reports a median annual salary of $81,270 in the US with the middle 80% earning between $44,500 and $137,060 and is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Entry typically requires a Bachelor's degree, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.49 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Complex Problem Solving.

Median salary
$81,270
per year
Growth outlook
Average
BLS 10-yr
Education
Bachelor's degree
AI exposure
4.95/10
automation risk

Salary distribution (US)

Real salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The p10–p90 spread tells you more than the median alone.

Bottom 10%
$44,500
25th %ile
$57,860
Median
$81,270
75th %ile
$105,200
Top 10%
$137,060

Top skills

Active Listening Critical Thinking Speaking Reading Comprehension Complex Problem Solving Judgment and Decision Making Writing Coordination Time Management Active Learning

Knowledge you'll build

  • English Language
  • Administration and Management
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Mathematics
  • Law and Government

Frequently asked questions

What does Security Management Specialists do?

Conduct security assessments for organizations, and design security systems and processes. May specialize in areas such as physical security or the safety of employees and facilities.

How much does Security Management Specialists earn?

The median annual salary for Security Management Specialists in the US is $81,270. The middle 80% of workers earn between $44,500 and $137,060 annually. Entry-to-mid-career earners typically fall between $57,860 and $105,200.

What is the job outlook for Security Management Specialists?

The role is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Current US employment is approximately 1,205,700 workers.

How do I become security management specialists?

The typical entry education is a Bachelor's degree. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.

What skills does Security Management Specialists need?

The most in-demand skills for this role include Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.

Will AI replace Security Management Specialists?

Our AI-durability model gives Security Management Specialists a score of 0.49 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.

How hard is it to enter this field?

Security Management Specialists has moderate barrier to entry — moderately gated — a bachelor's degree or equivalent training is typically required.

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