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Airline security representative vs officer

The differences between airline security representatives and officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an officer has an average salary of $52,506, which is higher than the $45,069 average annual salary of an airline security representative.

The top three skills for an airline security representative include DOD, SCI and security clearance. The most important skills for an officer are patrol, customer service, and public safety.

Airline security representative vs officer overview

Airline Security RepresentativeOfficer
Yearly salary$45,069$52,506
Hourly rate$21.67$25.24
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs94,082114,267
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age4343
Years of experience--

What does an airline security representative do?

An airline security representative is an airport employee who screens passengers and visitors for forbidden articles such as weapons or explosives to prevent them from being carried into the restricted area of the air terminal. Airline security representatives must examine the contents of trays and direct individuals to pass through the metal-detecting device. They are required to place carry-on baggage or other containers onto the x-ray device and monitor the screen to detect forbidden articles. Airline security representatives must also screen boarding passengers for aircraft hijackers who are profiled by the Federal Aviation Administration.

What does an officer do?

An officer is responsible for managing the daily operations of the assigned area, ensuring its peace and security by monitoring and reporting unusual and suspicious activities. Officers are the ones enforcing strict safety protocols and procedures to maintain the order within the premises. They also coordinate with law enforcement agencies in conducting appropriate investigations for any violating cases. An officer must be highly-knowledgeable of the law policies, as well as possessing excellent leadership skills to manage the members under the officer's patrol.

Airline security representative vs officer salary

Airline security representatives and officers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Airline Security RepresentativeOfficer
Average salary$45,069$52,506
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $80,000Between $26,000 And $103,000
Highest paying City-New York, NY
Highest paying state-New York
Best paying company-Meta
Best paying industry--

Differences between airline security representative and officer education

There are a few differences between an airline security representative and an officer in terms of educational background:

Airline Security RepresentativeOfficer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Airline security representative vs officer demographics

Here are the differences between airline security representatives' and officers' demographics:

Airline Security RepresentativeOfficer
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 59.8% Female, 40.2%Male, 63.9% Female, 36.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.6% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 5.9% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%Black or African American, 15.2% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.6% White, 51.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.9%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between airline security representative and officer duties and responsibilities

Airline security representative example responsibilities.

  • Manage the application for the FCL, maintain e-FCL and track clearance progress; provide CEO reports for require clearance actions.
  • Conduct regular self-audits to ensure adherence to DoD security policies and protection of classify holdings.
  • Complete numerous DSS on-line training courses during this period.
  • Conduct daily verification of personnel's clearance and EQIP status via JPAS.
  • Initiate, coordinate, and track clearance processing for employees and subcontractors using JPAS.
  • Receive CPR, first aid, customer relationship, and other security refresher courses.
  • Show more

Officer example responsibilities.

  • Lead 50 2nd lieutenants, manage schedules, and ensure timely completion of missions.
  • Achieve highest ranking of Lt.
  • Manage social media (Facebook): upload pictures, post announcements/news, update information.
  • Manage base active duty populations' compliance with USAF instructions regarding proper balance of fitness level and body fat percentage.
  • Manage training for CBRN response operations including detection and decontamination equipment.
  • Manage environmental safety occupational health compliance program, full spectrum threat response and anti terrorism programs.
  • Show more

Airline security representative vs officer skills

Common airline security representative skills
  • DOD, 7%
  • SCI, 6%
  • Security Clearance, 6%
  • Data Entry, 6%
  • PowerPoint, 5%
  • Personnel Security, 5%
Common officer skills
  • Patrol, 19%
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • Public Safety, 10%
  • Emergency Situations, 6%
  • PowerPoint, 3%
  • CPR, 3%

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