Security Officer | Salary & Job Information

Becoming a Security Officer via Online Education?

At the very least, online education can help you lay a foundation and/or open up alternate career paths. Ashford University, one of the highest ranking online schools, is a US school (accredited) offering security courses to train individuals to become top-notch computer security specialists, computer support specialists, security technicians, security officers, security workers, etc. Currently, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics there are 17,140 people employed as bailiffs alone in America, and their average annual salary is $40,240. Gaming surveillance officers and gaming investigators make on average $32,460 per year and there are about 7,670 of them employed today. Colleges and universities like Ashford University that provide online education are successfully launching workers into this field.

Typical Work Locations for a Security Officer
  • security agency
  • police station
  • society
  • bungalow
  • army
  • law enforcement agency
  • court
  • intelligence unit
  • railway station
  • airport
Potential Advantages and Benefits of Working as a Security Officer
  • work in shifts
  • spend time by yourself
  • have a sense of responsibility
  • wear a uniform
  • work in a position of responsibility
  • pay attention to detail
  • in established routines
  • follow strict guidelines
  • work as part of a team
  • command a level of respect
Potential Drawbacks
  • heavy work load
  • shift system
  • low salary in comparison to other jobs
  • frequent patrolling
  • less professional knowledge of guards
  • no permanent job
  • obligation to compromise with the higher authority
  • frequent transfer
  • no future security
  • efficiency counts on subordinate supervisor and guards performance
Related Professions to Consider
  • Master Transportation Security Officer
  • Contractor Program Security Officer
  • Security Officer Flex Officer
  • Principal Information Systems Security Officer
  • Senior Security Officer
  • Security Officer - Medical Facility
  • Outdoor Mall Floating Security Officer
  • Armed Security Officer
  • Information Assurance Officer
  • Contractor Special Security Officer
Possible Interview Questions When Applying to be a Security Officer
  • Do you think you can pass a background check?
  • Are you OK working an overnight shift?
  • If you came across a drunk customer who had lost 100000 dollars how would you handle this?
  • Why Are You Interested In Working For Security?
  • What expereinces do you have ?
  • What would make you stay here if you were offered a better job?
  • Why do you want to be a security guard ?
  • Tell me a time where you made a mistake at work and what you did about it?
  • Are you interested in the position?
  • What are your strengths?
Common Collaborating Professions
  • Vetting Officer
  • Relief Security Officer
  • Settlements Officer
  • Security Officers
  • Junior Coordination & Intelligence Officer
  • Senior Safety Officer
  • Senior IT Security Consultant
  • Casual Security Officer - Evening and Weekends
  • Chief Technology Officer
  • Operational Security Manager
Security Officer Training books Security Officer (More) Popular books Potential Companies to Work For Common College Majors
  • computer forensic
  • computer networking
  • computer programming
  • computer science
  • computer studies
  • web design
  • web development
  • telecommunications
  • technology management
  • network security

Security Officer Salary Information

Category: Bailiffs

Total # Employed in the US 17,140
Average Hourly Wage: $19.35/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$8.82 $12.86 $18.25 $25.83 $31.83
Average Yearly Salary $40,240
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$18,340 $26,740 $37,950 $53,730 $66,210
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
1.9% 36.3% 37.1% 12.3% 10.9% 1.2% 0.3%
Bailiffs — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Oklahoma $26.05/hr $54,180
Colorado $24.93/hr $51,850
New York $24.42/hr $50,800
Hawaii $21.94/hr $45,640
Connecticut $21.04/hr $43,770
New Mexico $20.64/hr $42,930
Montana $19.64/hr $40,860
Wyoming $19.55/hr $40,650
Guam $18.96/hr $39,430
South Carolina $18.54/hr $38,550
Tennessee $18.24/hr $37,940
Alabama $16.59/hr $34,500
Maine $16.35/hr $34,010
Oregon $16.21/hr $33,720
Ohio $16.07/hr $33,430
Nebraska $16.06/hr $33,390
Mississippi $16/hr $33,280
Arkansas $15.81/hr $32,890
Iowa $15.67/hr $32,590
Kentucky $15.26/hr $31,730
New Hampshire $15.15/hr $31,510
California $14.96/hr $31,110
Massachusetts $14.74/hr $30,660
North Carolina $14.7/hr $30,580
South Dakota $14.28/hr $29,700
Michigan $14.27/hr $29,670
Wisconsin $13.89/hr $28,890
Utah $13.34/hr $27,750
North Dakota $13.29/hr $27,650
Washington $12.41/hr $25,820
Maryland $10.88/hr $22,640
New Jersey $10.66/hr $22,170
Nevada $10.07/hr $20,950
Idaho $9.72/hr $20,210
West Virginia $8.88/hr $18,480
Pennsylvania $8.13/hr $16,900


Category: Gaming surveillance officers and gaming investigators

Total # Employed in the US 7,670
Average Hourly Wage: $15.6/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$9.77 $11.56 $14.53 $18.78 $23.44
Average Yearly Salary $32,460
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$20,320 $24,050 $30,220 $39,060 $48,760
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
10.0% 36.3% 29.3% 9.7% 12.1% 2.1% 0.5%
Gaming surveillance officers and gaming investigators — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Kentucky $20.73/hr $43,120
Colorado $18.47/hr $38,410
Delaware $17.32/hr $36,020
Montana $17.12/hr $35,610
New York $17.1/hr $35,570
North Dakota $16.74/hr $34,820
Nevada $16.66/hr $34,660
Maine $16.6/hr $34,530
Connecticut $15.85/hr $32,970
Kansas $15.8/hr $32,850
Alabama $15.38/hr $31,980
Arkansas $15.36/hr $31,950
Massachusetts $14.53/hr $30,220
Hawaii $14.22/hr $29,570
Utah $14.13/hr $29,390
District of Columbia $14.07/hr $29,260
Louisiana $13.72/hr $28,530
New Hampshire $13.63/hr $28,360
Tennessee $13.61/hr $28,310
Ohio $13.48/hr $28,040
Oklahoma $13.43/hr $27,940
South Dakota $13/hr $27,040
West Virginia $11.5/hr $23,920
New Jersey $11.08/hr $23,040


Category: Security guards

Total # Employed in the US 1,028,830
Average Hourly Wage: $12.7/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$8.1 $9.35 $11.45 $14.7 $19.34
Average Yearly Salary $26,430
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$16,840 $19,460 $23,820 $30,580 $40,230
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
10.0% 36.3% 29.3% 9.7% 12.1% 2.1% 0.5%
Security guards — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Alaska $17.8/hr $37,030
Florida $17.79/hr $37,010
Puerto Rico $14.83/hr $30,840
Mississippi $14.58/hr $30,320
Iowa $14.5/hr $30,150
Delaware $13.91/hr $28,930
Connecticut $13.89/hr $28,880
North Dakota $13.81/hr $28,720
North Carolina $13.67/hr $28,430
Nebraska $13.65/hr $28,400
Missouri $13.64/hr $28,370
Oklahoma $13.6/hr $28,280
New York $13.18/hr $27,420
Utah $13.15/hr $27,340
New Hampshire $13.07/hr $27,180
Ohio $12.9/hr $26,830
Washington $12.75/hr $26,510
Colorado $12.72/hr $26,450
New Mexico $12.68/hr $26,380
Tennessee $12.66/hr $26,330
Indiana $12.62/hr $26,240
Guam $12.52/hr $26,050
Kansas $12.48/hr $25,970
Michigan $12.47/hr $25,940
Maine $12.3/hr $25,580
Kentucky $12.27/hr $25,520
New Jersey $12.26/hr $25,500
South Carolina $12.2/hr $25,370
Pennsylvania $12.18/hr $25,340
District of Columbia $12.16/hr $25,300
South Dakota $12.13/hr $25,240
Wyoming $12.12/hr $25,200
Virginia $12.1/hr $25,170
Montana $11.96/hr $24,870
Arkansas $11.85/hr $24,650
Oregon $11.79/hr $24,530
Louisiana $11.53/hr $23,990
Maryland $11.46/hr $23,840
Idaho $11.39/hr $23,700
Massachusetts $11.25/hr $23,390
Wisconsin $11.22/hr $23,340
California $11.15/hr $23,190
Hawaii $11.06/hr $23,000
West Virginia $10.96/hr $22,800
Alabama $10.72/hr $22,290
Nevada $10/hr $20,790


Security Programs by State & City