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The differences between airline security representatives and security assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an airline security representative has an average salary of $45,069, which is higher than the $38,261 average annual salary of a security assistant.
The top three skills for an airline security representative include DOD, SCI and security clearance. The most important skills for a security assistant are customer service, security clearance, and patrol.
| Airline Security Representative | Security Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $45,069 | $38,261 |
| Hourly rate | $21.67 | $18.39 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 94,082 | 102,858 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
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.
A security assistant is in charge of performing support tasks in a company or establishment's security department. Their responsibilities typically include monitoring alarm systems and surveillance cameras, organizing equipment such as radios and flashlights, keeping an eye on the inventory of supplies, and liaising with external and internal parties. They may also perform clerical tasks such as preparing and processing documentation, arranging requests, answering calls and correspondence, maintaining records of transactions, and handling paperwork. There are also instances where they must assist clients and employees, adhering to protocols as needed.
Airline security representatives and security assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Airline Security Representative | Security Assistant | |
| Average salary | $45,069 | $38,261 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $80,000 | Between $24,000 And $59,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | - | Alaska |
| Best paying company | - | Inter-Con Security Systems |
| Best paying industry | - | Government |
There are a few differences between an airline security representative and a security assistant in terms of educational background:
| Airline Security Representative | Security Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Business | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between airline security representatives' and security assistants' demographics:
| Airline Security Representative | Security Assistant | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 59.8% Female, 40.2% | Male, 56.4% Female, 43.6% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 15.6% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 6.1% White, 52.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |