Job outlook for heads of security in the United States

Head of security job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:

The projected head of security job growth rate is 3% from 2018-2028.
About 38,000 new jobs for heads of security are projected over the next decade.
Head of security salaries have increased 20% for heads of security in the last 5 years.
There are over 46,385 heads of security currently employed in the United States.
There are 92,369 active head of security job openings in the US.
The average head of security salary is $154,257.

Are head of security jobs in demand?

Yes, head of security jobs are in demand. Head of security demand is projected to grow 3% from 2018 to 2028.

Head of security job and salary trends over time

Compare the number of head of security jobs and the average head of security salary over time.

Head of security jobs over time

Head of security job growth rate over time

Year	# of jobs	% of population
2021	46,385	0.01%
2020	46,266	0.01%
2019	49,424	0.01%
2018	48,898	0.01%
2017	48,506	0.01%

Average head of security salary over time

Head of security salary by year

Year	Avg. salary	Hourly rate	% Change
2025	$154,257	$74.16	+4.6%
2024	$147,451	$70.89	+4.2%
2023	$141,539	$68.05	+5.9%
2022	$133,640	$64.25	+4.4%
2021	$128,026	$61.55	+4.6%

Top head of security jobs near you

Head of security jobs by state

The map below shows you the number of head of security job openings in each state. The darker areas on the map show where heads of security earn the highest salaries across all 50 states.

Average salary: Job openings:

Most common states for heads of security

Rank	State	Population	# of jobs	Employment/ 1000ppl
1	Massachusetts	6,859,819	1,295	19%
2	Rhode Island	1,059,639	201	19%
3	Delaware	961,939	174	18%
4	Minnesota	5,576,606	966	17%
5	New Hampshire	1,342,795	213	16%
6	Alaska	739,795	119	16%
7	District of Columbia	693,972	111	16%
8	Pennsylvania	12,805,537	1,822	14%
9	Illinois	12,802,023	1,788	14%
10	North Carolina	10,273,419	1,300	13%
11	New Jersey	9,005,644	1,203	13%
12	Nebraska	1,920,076	241	13%
13	Montana	1,050,493	136	13%
14	Georgia	10,429,379	1,220	12%
15	Washington	7,405,743	905	12%
16	Missouri	6,113,532	709	12%
17	Connecticut	3,588,184	419	12%
18	Iowa	3,145,711	377	12%
19	Vermont	623,657	76	12%
20	Ohio	11,658,609	1,251	11%

Most common cities for heads of security

Rank	City	# of jobs	Employment/ 1000ppl	Avg. salary
1	Palm Beach Gardens	1	2%	$122,929
2	Wilmington	1	1%	$116,353
3	New York	2	0%	$148,975
4	Boston	1	0%	$144,824
5	Sacramento	1	0%	$138,380

Head Of Security job outlook: Expert opinions

We spoke to head of security professors and experts from several universities and companies to get their opinions on where the head of security job market for recent graduates is heading and how young graduates entering the head of security industry can be adequately prepared. Here are their thoughts.

Our panel of head of security experts

Trace Lasley Ph.D.

American University

Top head of security jobs near you

Trace Lasley Ph.D.

Adjunct Professorial Lecturer

American University

Department of Justice, Law, and Criminology

Website

How have salaries changed over time for Heads Of Security?

Trace Lasley Ph.D.: Federal salaries are an open record. Check out the Office of Personnel Management https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/#url=2021. You can see the salaries for the last 10 years, and there's a link that will take you back to 1949. For a Masters level homeland security practitioner, you're generally looking at a GS-9 salary, which will vary by location.

Head of security jobs

Updated March 22, 2021

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