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Salary comparison

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives vs. Security Guards: Who Earns More?

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives out-earn Security Guards by $68K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives land at $106,040 and Security Guards at $38,020. The education gap is real: first-line supervisors of police and detectif 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 Police and Detectives is California ($163,960); for Security Guards it's District of Columbia ($64,210).

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
Security Guards
Median salary
$106,040
$38,020
Hourly rate
$50.98/hr
$18.28/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$63,350
$30,210
Senior level (90th %)
$165,110
$58,840
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
154,610
1,283,470
Job growth (10-year)
2.9%
0.4%
Category
Public Safety
Public Safety
Top-paying state
California
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives median pay.

State
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
Security Guards
California
$163,960
$43,240
Hawaii
$140,590
$42,820
Alaska
$137,320
$47,480
Washington
$136,280
$47,100
District of Columbia
$134,760
$64,210
Colorado
$126,810
$45,150
New York
$124,080
$44,240
Oregon
$122,130
$45,500
Minnesota
$118,750
$43,380
Utah
$110,500
$42,700
Massachusetts
$104,320
$44,670
Virginia
$101,230
$43,640
New Hampshire
$100,060
$45,200
Vermont
$99,280
$45,550
New Mexico
$92,200
$43,320

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

Common questions

Who earns more, First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives or Security Guards?

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives earn more nationally. The median is $106,040 for First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives versus $38,020 for Security Guards, a difference of $68K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives or Security Guards?

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives has the better 10-year outlook at 2.9% projected growth, compared to 0.4% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives or Security Guards?

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives 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 Police and Detectives get paid the most?

California is the top-paying state for First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives at $163,960/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 Police and Detectives vs. Security Guards pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In California, First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives earn $163,960 vs. $43,240 for Security Guards. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives salary breakdownView →Full Security Guards salary breakdownView →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Security Guards by take-home payExplore →How to become a first-line supervisors of police and detectivesGuide →How to become a security guardsGuide →