What is a security supervisor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
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A security supervisor oversees the safety of a designated area or facility. They manage and train security personnel, implement security protocols, and ensure compliance. Security supervisors monitor surveillance equipment, respond to emergencies, and investigate incidents. They also maintain records, prepare reports, and communicate with management and law enforcement. A successful security supervisor possesses leadership skills, communication, and sound judgment. They aim to create a safe environment for employees, customers, and visitors while mitigating risks.

ScoreSecurity SupervisorUS Average
Salary
3.3

Avg. Salary $41,818

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
8.6

Growth Rate 3%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
10.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.58%

Asian 5.52%

Black or African American 12.30%

Hispanic or Latino 21.27%

Unknown 5.30%

White 54.02%

Gender

female 18.37%

male 81.63%

Age - 43
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43
Stress Level
8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
4.9

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
9.4

Work Life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Security Supervisor?

Pros

  • Potential for career advancement

  • Competitive salary and benefits

  • Job security in a growing industry

  • Variety of work environments and responsibilities

  • Exposure to diverse people and cultures

Cons

  • High levels of stress and pressure

  • Exposure to dangerous or violent situations

  • Potential for conflicts with other departments or stakeholders

  • Limited opportunities for creativity or innovation

  • Need to maintain physical fitness and agility

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Security Supervisor career paths

Key steps to become a security supervisor

  1. Explore security supervisor education requirements

    Most common security supervisor degrees

    Bachelor's

    32.7 %

    Associate

    26.4 %

    High School Diploma

    25.6 %
  2. Start to develop specific security supervisor skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Patrol13.72%
    Customer Service13.37%
    Incident Reports7.18%
    Emergency Situations6.82%
    Security Procedures6.17%
  3. Complete relevant security supervisor training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New security supervisors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a security supervisor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real security supervisor resumes.
  4. Obtain the necessary licensing

    Becoming a licensed security supervisor usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you don't need to pass an exam to become a licensed security supervisor in most of states. 30 states require security supervisors to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.
    State
    ascdesc
    Education
    ascdesc
    Exam
    ascdesc
    License Url
    ascdesc
    Alabama--Licensed Personal Security Officer
    Maryland--GUARDS
    AlaskaSpecific course required-Security Guard
    ArkansasSpecific course requiredState exam requiredPrivate Security Officer (PSO)
    CaliforniaSpecific course requiredState exam requiredSecurity Guard Registration
  5. Research security supervisor duties and responsibilities

    • Configure and change infrastructure for compliance to PCI DSS.
    • Respond to medical emergencies to provide first aid, CPR or a support as needed until medical personnel arrive.
    • Fill in bartending shifts when need.
    • Check ids of airport personal and report any suspicious behavior.
  6. Prepare your security supervisor resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your security supervisor resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a security supervisor resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Security Supervisor Resume templates

    Build a professional Security Supervisor resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Security Supervisor resume.
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  7. Apply for security supervisor jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a security supervisor job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Security Supervisor Job

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Average security supervisor salary

The average Security Supervisor salary in the United States is $41,818 per year or $20 per hour. Security supervisor salaries range between $29,000 and $59,000 per year.

Average Security Supervisor Salary
$41,818 Yearly
$20.10 hourly

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How do security supervisors rate their job?

5/5

Based On 1 Ratings

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Security Supervisor reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2022
Pros

Meeting a lot of different people have helped people in this job

Cons

The pay is not worth what you have to do sometimes


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A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2021
Pros

Protecting people and the property where I’m sign at.

Cons

There’s nothing about the officer that I don’t like


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Pros

Yes because is a job that deal with helping people that your help and there's a wonderful happiness while working properly and helping people at the sometime.

Cons

One sometimes people will not like you but they need a help from you but to me a don't call it anything now because I know the status of the job even in a building I have work in that area as a security guard department with my license from United Arab Emirates.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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