Operational security specialist vs petty officer

The differences between operational security specialists and petty officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an operational security specialist has an average salary of $42,159, which is higher than the $39,336 average annual salary of a petty officer.

The top three skills for an operational security specialist include customer service, security operations and patrol. The most important skills for a petty officer are preventative maintenance, law enforcement, and logistics.

Operational security specialist vs petty officer overview

	Operational Security Specialist	Petty Officer
Yearly salary	$42,159	$39,336
Hourly rate	$20.27	$18.91
Growth rate	3%	3%
Number of jobs	87,810	69,776
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	-	-

What does an operational security specialist do?

An operational security specialist performs administrative and clerical duties. You will be responsible for creating, implementing, and managing a security awareness program to address security issues. Other duties include providing support on security clearance and management, ensuring that test participants and visitors have security clearance integrity, and providing recommendations on critical security policy decisions. In addition, an operational security specialist is responsible for analyzing vulnerabilities and threats to the system and operational environments and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and security procedures.

What does a petty officer do?

A petty officer is a non-commissioned navy officer who is responsible for supervising the day-to-day activities of junior sailors and making sure that they have a productive day. Petty officers with more experience are expected to provide training in basic skills to their junior petty officers. Once a petty officer is reprimanded, first-class petty officers may conduct discipline by ordering those reprimanded to do extra military instruction or extra work within the division. Petty officers are also required to meet all the requirements for surface warfare qualification.

Operational security specialist vs petty officer salary

Operational security specialists and petty officers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Operational Security Specialist	Petty Officer
Average salary	$42,159	$39,336
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $65,000	Between $24,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	-
Highest paying state	Alaska	-
Best paying company	U.S. Bank	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between operational security specialist and petty officer education

There are a few differences between an operational security specialist and a petty officer in terms of educational background:

	Operational Security Specialist	Petty Officer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Operational security specialist vs petty officer demographics

Here are the differences between operational security specialists' and petty officers' demographics:

	Operational Security Specialist	Petty Officer
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 70.7% Female, 29.3%	Male, 82.6% Female, 17.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 13.3% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 5.9% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%	Black or African American, 12.4% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 5.6% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between operational security specialist and petty officer duties and responsibilities

Operational security specialist example responsibilities.

Perform administrative duties including managing PowerPoint slides used for training.
Perform CCTV audits and review camera recordings for investigations.
Monitor entire facility using CCTV while simultaneously performing dispatch duties.
Maintain weapons proficiency and qualification as a function of normal security patrol and protection duties.
Experience working directly for commanding officers and making security recommendations to ensure the security of overall DOD operations in the area.
Provide personal protection for dignitaries and VIP guests while maintaining confidentiality.

Petty officer example responsibilities.

Lead three CPO's and 50 maintenance personnel in target maintenance planning on two C-2A aircraft.
Manage CPR and first aid program that involve directing quarterly CPR and first aid classes while tracking employee s certifications.
Manage the day to day operations of USS Olympia's EKMS account to include support and compliance for EKMS Visits/inspection.
Manage 13 ready-service-lockers containing all shipboard ordinances while personally keeping duty gunner's mate and ammunition handling qualify.
Supervise sailors in responsible tasks relate to managing inventory, facilitating laundry operations, and maintaining secure watch detail.
Assist LPO and ALPO as needed.

Operational security specialist vs petty officer skills

Common operational security specialist skills

Customer Service, 15%
Security Operations, 13%
Patrol, 10%
Emergency Situations, 6%
Emergency Response, 5%
Security Procedures, 4%

Common petty officer skills

Preventative Maintenance, 9%
Law Enforcement, 6%
Logistics, 6%
Sailors, 5%
Coast Guard, 5%
Combat, 4%

Operational Security Specialist vs. similar jobs

Operational Security Specialist related careers

Operational Security Specialist related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Protective Service Industry
Operational Security Specialist
Operational Security Specialist vs Petty Officer

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse protective service jobs