Supervisors of Protective Service Workers

How to become a First-Line Supervisor of Security Workers

Official title: First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers

Also called: Campus Safety Chief, Public Safety Manager, Public Safety Supervisor, Security Chief, Security Director, Security Guard Supervisor, Security Lieutenant, Security Shift Supervisor, Security Supervisor, Shift Supervisor

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of security workers and security guards.

Main tasks

Investigate disturbances on the premises, such as security alarms, altercations, and suspicious activity.
Patrol the premises to prevent or detect intrusion, protect property, or preserve order.
Monitor and authorize entry of employees, visitors, or other persons.
Secure entrances and exits by locking doors and gates.
Write reports documenting observations made while on patrol.
Monitor the behavior of security employees to ensure adherence to quality standards, deadlines, or procedures.
Advise employees in handling problems or resolving complaints from customers, tenants, detainees, or other persons.
Recruit, interview, and hire security personnel.

How to become one

Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent

Ways in

Licence: A licence is required in 12 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $55,940 a year The middle half earn $45,030 to $71,950.
About 82,700 people work in this job now, and about 85,700 are projected by 2035. (+3.7%)
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Questions people ask

How much does a First-Line Supervisor of Security Workers earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $55,940 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $45,030 to $71,950.

Is a First-Line Supervisor of Security Workers a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4% by 2035, from about 82,700 to about 85,700 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a First-Line Supervisor of Security Workers?

Not always. 38% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a First-Line Supervisor of Security Workers?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.