How much does a Security Officer make?

The national average salary for a Security Officer is $35,207 per year in United States. Filter by location to see a Security Officer salaries in your area. Salaries estimates are based on 29713 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Security Officer employees.

The highest salary for a Security Officer in United States is $44,243 per year.

The lowest salary for a Security Officer in United States is $28,016 per year.

If you are thinking of becoming a Security Officer or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of a Security Officer.

Security officers earn pay that is similar to the pay of managers in correctional facilities, casinos and police departments. Security officers with experience managing large operations, such as political campaigns, celebrity tours or high-risk office building traffic, may earn higher pay. Additionally, foreign language proficiency and military experience may increase a candidate’s opportunities and pay. Successful security officers can open their own security training firms and charge high hourly rates.

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In Glassdoor's anonymous ratings, around 61% of security officers feel satisfied with their current salary. For those looking to earn more, an additional $1,856.61 can be made annually in overtime, profit sharing, and bonuses for work performance or during holidays.

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The average salary for security officers is $35,206.56 per year, while total pay, which includes bonuses and commission, is higher, at $37,063.17. Total pay is usually between $29,092.63 and $47,640.56, although security officers with a background in law enforcement may have higher starting salaries. The next step in the career of a security officer is a senior security officer.

Learn more about negotiating salaries from thousands of other real professionals

While most states require certification or licensing and several hours of training, you can open up higher paying positions in your career as a security officer by going through with licensing and training even when it isn't a necessity. You can also increase your salary in your current job by completing the requirements for carrying a concealed firearm, which include gun safety courses, obtaining a concealed carry permit, and completing a minimum number of hours training. Other courses to consider include advanced security strategy courses. Experience also matters, and most security guards spend two to four years in the role before moving to a higher paying position.

Your first step in negotiating your salary as a security officer is to research what a security officer makes in your local area with a similar level of experience. If you plan to ask for a raise, take your recent performance evaluations into consideration and highlight any important experience during your discussion with management. Ask for a 10% to 20% raise to give yourself room to negotiate. Searching for a security officer job and negotiating your starting salary when approaching an employer is also an option. In this case, keep it simple. Say something such as, "Do you have any wiggle room on the salary?" to start the conversation.