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First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers vs. Security Guards: Who Earns More?

First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workerss out-earn Security Guardss by $56K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workerss land at $93,530 and Security Guardss at $38,020. The education gap is real: first-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention worker programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while security guard programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workerss is New Jersey ($133,210); for Security Guardss it's District of Columbia ($64,210).

First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers
Security Guards
Median salary
$93,530
$38,020
Hourly rate
$44.96/hr
$18.28/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$53,430
$30,210
Senior level (90th %)
$140,010
$58,840
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
99,140
1,283,470
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Public Safety
Public Safety
Top-paying state
New Jersey
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers median pay.

State
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers
Security Guards
New York
$132,520
$44,240
Washington
$129,350
$47,100
California
$127,630
$43,240
District of Columbia
$126,560
$64,210
Colorado
$102,580
$45,150
Utah
$100,380
$42,700
Oregon
$100,260
$45,500
Virginia
$97,780
$43,640
Massachusetts
$96,600
$44,670
New Hampshire
$93,720
$45,200
Alaska
$92,760
$47,480
Vermont
$83,250
$45,550
Minnesota
$78,800
$43,380
Missouri
$75,970
$40,390
New Mexico
$58,430
$43,320

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workerss or Security Guardss?

First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workerss earn more nationally. The median is $93,530 for First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workerss versus $38,020 for Security Guardss, a difference of $56K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers or Security Guards?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers or Security Guards?

First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Security Guards requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workerss get paid the most?

New Jersey is the top-paying state for First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workerss at $133,210/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers vs. Security Guards pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In New York, First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workerss earn $132,520 vs. $44,240 for Security Guardss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers salary breakdownView →Full Security Guards salary breakdownView →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workerss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Security Guardss by take-home payExplore →How to become a first-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workersGuide →How to become a security guardsGuide →