How to become a Security Manager

Official title: Security Managers

Also called: Corporate Physical Security Supervisor, Corporate Security Manager, Judicial Office Security Director, Physical Security Manager, Physical Security Systems Manager, Regional Security Manager, Security and Surveillance Manager, Security Director, Security Manager, Special Security Operations Program Manager

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

Main tasks

• Develop budgets for security operations.
• Identify, investigate, or resolve security breaches.
• Plan, direct, or coordinate security activities to safeguard company employees, guests, or others on company property.
• Direct or participate in emergency management and contingency planning.
• Respond to medical emergencies, bomb threats, fire alarms, or intrusion alarms, following emergency response procedures.
• Analyze and evaluate security operations to identify risks or opportunities for improvement through auditing, review, or assessment.
• Create or implement security standards, policies, and procedures.
• Assess risks to mitigate potential consequences of incidents and develop a plan to respond to incidents.

How to become one

Although administrative services and facilities managers' educational requirements vary by organization and the work they do, these workers typically need a bachelor's degree and related work experience.

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

• College: Business & Commerce degrees, Offered by 35 universities in the US

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Median pay: $106,660 a year The middle half earn $82,020 to $138,870.
• About 165,900 people work in this job now, and about 173,500 are projected by 2035. (+4.6%)
• People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Related jobs

• Administrative Services Managers
• Facilities Managers
• Computer and Information Systems Managers
• Financial Managers
• Treasurers and Controllers
• Investment Fund Managers

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Security Manager?

Although administrative services and facilities managers' educational requirements vary by organization and the work they do, these workers typically need a bachelor's degree and related work experience.

How much does a Security Manager earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $106,660 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $82,020 to $138,870.

Is a Security Manager a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5% by 2035, from about 165,900 to about 173,500 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Security Manager?

Not always. 39% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Business & Commerce degrees.

Will AI change the work of a Security Manager?

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 Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, 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.