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Salary comparison

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

First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers out-earn Security Guards by $18K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers land at $55,940 and Security Guards at $38,020. The education gap is real: first-line supervisors of security 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 Security Workers is District of Columbia ($83,710); for Security Guards it's District of Columbia ($64,210).

First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers
Security Guards
Median salary
$55,940
$38,020
Hourly rate
$26.9/hr
$18.28/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$37,300
$30,210
Senior level (90th %)
$92,260
$58,840
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
81,480
1,283,470
Job growth (10-year)
2.7%
0.4%
Category
Public Safety
Public Safety
Top-paying state
District of Columbia
District of Columbia

Pay by state

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

State
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers
Security Guards
District of Columbia
$83,710
$64,210
Vermont
$78,110
$45,550
Alaska
$73,500
$47,480
New Hampshire
$66,780
$45,200
Washington
$62,510
$47,100
New Mexico
$62,330
$43,320
Oregon
$60,940
$45,500
Virginia
$60,790
$43,640
New York
$59,890
$44,240
Hawaii
$59,080
$42,820
Minnesota
$58,540
$43,380
Massachusetts
$57,890
$44,670
Utah
$56,290
$42,700
Colorado
$54,680
$45,150
California
$53,960
$43,240

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

Common questions

Who earns more, First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers or Security Guards?

First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers earn more nationally. The median is $55,940 for First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers versus $38,020 for Security Guards, a difference of $18K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

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

First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers has the better 10-year outlook at 2.7% projected growth, compared to 0.4% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

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

First-Line Supervisors of Security 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 Security Workers get paid the most?

District of Columbia is the top-paying state for First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers at $83,710/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 Security Workers vs. Security Guards pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers earn $83,710 vs. $64,210 for Security Guards. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

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