A first-line supervisor of security workers leads and manages security teams on the ground. You oversee daily operations, make decisions that keep people and property safe, and build strong teams. You can start with an associate degree and on-the-job experience.
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You manage security workers and coordinate their daily activities across shifts and locations. Your work involves communicating with your team and leadership, identifying security risks and incidents, and solving problems as they arise. You guide and motivate your staff, develop them into stronger team members, and make decisions about how to respond to security situations. You also handle personnel matters like scheduling, performance feedback, and training. Your knowledge spans public safety protocols, customer service, and management practices.
Core work activities
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers earn a median of $55,940 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is steady. Employment is projected to grow 3 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as average for all occupations, with about 7,000 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Start by earning an associate degree, which gives you foundational knowledge in security, management, and administration. You'll also need hands-on experience working in security roles before moving into supervision. Many supervisors begin as security officers or guards, then advance as they gain experience and demonstrate leadership ability. Your path combines classroom learning with practical work experience. Talk with your counselor about whether to pursue your degree full-time or part-time while working.
Most people reach this role through either direct advancement from security work or by combining an associate degree with entry-level security experience. The timing and order matter for your career, so Pathly can map the first-line supervisor of security workers path that fits you with your counselor to map out the sequence that fits your situation.
Many first-line supervisor of security workerss must be licensed to practice.
Licensing is handled at the state level and the requirements vary, so check the licensing board in your state. Pathly shows your state's specific steps inside your roadmap.
You're drawn to leadership and building organizations. You like taking charge, making decisions, and helping others succeed. You're comfortable with responsibility and motivated by results.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).