How much does a security supervisor make?
a year · about $27 an hour
A typical security supervisor in the United States makes $55,940 a year, about $27 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
At the start of a shift, they place guards at posts, check cameras and alarms, and patrol the site. If something goes wrong, they respond or call police or firefighters, then train staff and write reports.
Did you know? Some security supervisors plan practice drills for threats such as fires or bombs, and may call police or firefighters in a real emergency.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $37,300 and $92,260How do you become one?
A common path is to finish high school or earn a GED, start in a security job, and gain related experience before moving into supervision. Check state rules: Oregon requires a supervisory-manager license, a course and exam, and applicants must be at least 18.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like leading and selling and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can differ with experience, state-required training or licenses, and the employer, such as a hospital, store, or security company. Location, job responsibility, and any overtime or night-shift premiums can matter too.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in District of Columbia ($83,710), lowest in Mississippi ($43,410).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $37,300 | $55,940 | $92,260 | about 81,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $83,710 | about 710 |
| Maryland | $63,690 | about 2,000 |
| Washington | $62,510 | about 2,000 |
| New Mexico | $62,330 | about 580 |
| New Jersey | $61,590 | about 2,000 |
Official definition: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of security workers and security guards.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/33-1091.00
- www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes331091.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/ooh/about/data-for-occupations-not-covered-in-detail.htm
- www.oregon.gov/dpsst/PS/Pages/Manager.aspx
- www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/oregon/Or-Admin-Code-SS-259-060-0020
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY