Safety and security officer vs public safety officer

The differences between safety and security officers and public safety officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a public safety officer has an average salary of $36,596, which is higher than the $35,427 average annual salary of a safety and security officer.

The top three skills for a safety and security officer include patrol, patients and customer service. The most important skills for a public safety officer are patrol, patients, and public safety.

Safety and security officer vs public safety officer overview

	Safety And Security Officer	Public Safety Officer
Yearly salary	$35,427	$36,596
Hourly rate	$17.03	$17.59
Growth rate	3%	3%
Number of jobs	133,260	122,048
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 36%	Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Average age	43	40
Years of experience	-	-

What does a safety and security officer do?

A safety and security officer is in charge of enforcing safety and security measures in a particular area or building. In commercial establishments, they are typically responsible for monitoring security cameras and alarm systems, patrolling areas, keeping an eye on any suspicious behavior or activity, and conducting inspections. They must also respond to distress, coordinating with law enforcement officials should the situation require. Furthermore, a safety and security officer must maintain an active communication line with fellow security officers, reporting to supervisors when complicated issues arise.

What does a public safety officer do?

Public relations assistants are professionals who are responsible for creating and distributing promotional materials to help clients increase their public image and awareness of their products and services. These assistants are required to help develop and distribute public relations materials such as brochures, pamphlets, newsletters, and sell sheets. They must handle all the communications of their clients to the public by supervising social media content, press releases, and emails. Public relations assistants must also gather materials to be used in trade shows or client presentations.

Safety and security officer vs public safety officer salary

Safety and security officers and public safety officers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Safety And Security Officer	Public Safety Officer
Average salary	$35,427	$36,596
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $52,000	Between $29,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	New Britain, CT
Highest paying state	New York	North Dakota
Best paying company	Columbus College of Art & Design	University of California, Berkeley
Best paying industry	Health Care	Health Care

Differences between safety and security officer and public safety officer education

There are a few differences between a safety and security officer and a public safety officer in terms of educational background:

	Safety And Security Officer	Public Safety Officer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 36%	Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	California State University - Bakersfield

Safety and security officer vs public safety officer demographics

Here are the differences between safety and security officers' and public safety officers' demographics:

	Safety And Security Officer	Public Safety Officer
Average age	43	40
Gender ratio	Male, 79.5% Female, 20.5%	Male, 76.7% Female, 23.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 5.4% White, 56.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%	Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 19.5% Asian, 3.4% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage	6%	7%

Differences between safety and security officer and public safety officer duties and responsibilities

Safety and security officer example responsibilities.

Execute HAZMAT safety and clean up procedures, confine space entry, CPR certify, and emergency/fire protection qualify.
Respond to park disturbances and medical calls involving first aid (train in basic first aid and CPR).
Monitor and operate CCTV cameras and other recording systems.
Patrol and monitor facility daily in accordance with safety policy.
Search behavioral health patients for contraband and potentially dangerous weapons.
Monitor CCTV systems, provide security; conduct interior/exterior security checks.

Public safety officer example responsibilities.

Manage litigation and bankruptcy matters.
Apply hand cuffs, restraints and calm combative irate people, handling emergency situations, report writing, CPR, a.
Patrol campus, answer calls: fire, police, ems.
Engage in assistance for medical staff in dangerous situations, patient restraints, heavy lifting, and area access.
Monitor campus radio and cameras, dispatch emergency calls, issue summonses and utilize the NYSPIN computer communication network.
Involve in patient restraints and aggressive patient/visitor confrontations.

Safety and security officer vs public safety officer skills

Common safety and security officer skills

Patrol, 15%
Patients, 13%
Customer Service, 10%
CPR, 8%
Emergency Situations, 6%
Incident Reports, 6%

Common public safety officer skills

Patrol, 18%
Patients, 17%
Public Safety, 12%
Customer Service, 7%
CPR, 5%
Emergency Situations, 5%

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Safety And Security Officer
Safety And Security Officer vs Public Safety Officer

Updated January 8, 2025

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