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Healthcare
Mayo Clinic, Kaiser Permanente, Cleveland Clinic
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers
These supervisors run the day-to-day security operation at a site: they brief guards, watch cameras, track incidents, and step in when a complaint, trespasser, or emergency needs a fast response. The job is distinct because it mixes people management with real-time security work, and the main tradeoff is staying calm and enforcing rules without turning every situation into a confrontation.
Also known as Security SupervisorSecurity Shift SupervisorSecurity Operations SupervisorSite Security SupervisorSecurity Team Lead
Median Salary
$58,610
Mean $62,990
U.S. Workforce
~70K
7K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+2.7%
71.9K to 73.8K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ Less than 5 years experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers sits in the Business category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~70K workers, with a median annual pay of $58,610 and roughly 7K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 71.9 K in 2024 to 73.8K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Associate's Degree, and employers typically expect less than 5 years of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Security Officer and can progress toward Director of Security and Safety. High-value skills usually include CCTV Systems & Video Surveillance, Access Control Systems, Badge Readers & Key Cards, and Incident Reporting Software & Logbooks, paired with soft skills such as Active Listening, Judgment and Decision Making, and Clear Speaking.
Core Responsibilities
- Coach security staff on how to handle complaints, difficult visitors, and other day-to-day problems.
- Watch camera feeds and other security systems for suspicious behavior or signs of trouble.
- Respond to alarms, disturbances, and emergencies, including calling police or fire services when needed.
- Explain site rules, post orders, and company procedures to security staff so everyone follows the same playbook.
Keep exploring: more Business careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Coach security staff on how to handle complaints, difficult visitors, and other day-to-day problems.
02 Watch camera feeds and other security systems for suspicious behavior or signs of trouble.
03 Respond to alarms, disturbances, and emergencies, including calling police or fire services when needed.
04 Explain site rules, post orders, and company procedures to security staff so everyone follows the same playbook.
05 Remove trespassers or people breaking the rules from the property when verbal warnings are not enough.
06 Keep track of keys, key cards, and other controlled items while checking that officers follow standards and deadlines.
Industries That Hire
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Retail and Loss Prevention
Walmart, Target, Costco
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Hospitality and Hotels
Marriott International, Hilton, Hyatt
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Corporate and Tech Campuses
Amazon, Microsoft, Google
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Education
University of California, New York University, Penn State
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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There is steady demand: the occupation is projected to grow from 71.9K jobs in 2024 to 73.8K in 2034, with about 7.0K annual openings from growth and replacement needs.
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The entry bar is relatively accessible, since BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent, less than 5 years of experience, and no on-the-job training as the typical setup.
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You get real supervisory experience, including coaching staff, handling complaints, and making decisions during live incidents.
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Pay is respectable for a role that usually does not require a four-year degree, with a mean annual wage of $62,990 and a median of $58,610.
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The work is varied, so a shift can include cameras, logs, employee coaching, and emergency response instead of one repetitive task.
Challenges
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Growth is modest at 2.7% over the 2024-2034 period, so the field is not likely to open up rapidly for people trying to move up.
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The job can be tense and physically risky because you may have to confront trespassers, deal with disturbances, and call police or fire crews in emergencies.
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The pay ceiling is limited compared with higher-level security management jobs, and the median salary of $58,610 is only moderate for a supervisory role.
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Routine monitoring is vulnerable to automation because cameras, access-control systems, and software can take over some of the watchkeeping work, which can cap growth in staffing needs.
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Schedules are often inconvenient, since security problems do not follow business hours and supervisors are commonly needed on nights, weekends, and holidays.
Career Progression
Security Officer
0-2 years
$31K-$39K
You patrol a site, check doors and badges, and learn how to handle routine incidents before you are responsible for other workers.
Senior Security Officer
2-5 years
$40K-$50K
You handle more complex incidents, mentor newer officers, and may lead a shift or specific post.
First-Line Supervisor of Security Workers THIS ROLE
5-10 years
$51K-$68K
You assign coverage, coach staff, respond to disturbances, and make quick decisions when a site has a security problem.
Security Manager
10-15 years
$69K-$92K
You oversee multiple posts or sites, manage budgets and policies, and focus more on staffing, planning, and risk reduction.
Director of Security and Safety
15+ years
$93K-$125K
You set security strategy across a larger organization and coordinate with executives, operations teams, and outside agencies.
Education Paths
Associate's Degree
A very common pathway, held by 29.75% of workers in the O*NET distribution, and often paired with prior security experience.
High School Diploma or Equivalent
BLS lists this as the typical entry point, and 27.72% of workers in the O*NET distribution report this as their highest level.
Some College, No Degree
Another common route, with 26.12% of workers in the O*NET distribution; many people move into this role after proving themselves on the job.
Post-Secondary Certificate or Security Training
A less common path, shown at 4.99% in the O*NET distribution, and security licensing or short certificate programs can help build credibility.
Key Skills
Technical
CCTV Systems & Video Surveillance 80%
Access Control Systems, Badge Readers & Key Cards 78%
Incident Reporting Software & Logbooks 76%
Two-Way Radios, Dispatch & Emergency Communications 74%
Security Post Orders & Patrol Procedures 72%
Soft Skills
Active ListeningJudgment and Decision MakingClear SpeakingCritical ThinkingConflict De-escalationLeadership and Supervision Job Outlook and Trends
+2.7%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
7K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 71.9K to 73.8 K over the next decade, representing 2.7% growth. Around 7 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.