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The differences between security assistants and lead security officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a lead security officer has an average salary of $43,560, which is higher than the $38,261 average annual salary of a security assistant.
The top three skills for a security assistant include customer service, security clearance and patrol. The most important skills for a lead security officer are patrol, security procedures, and emergency situations.
| Security Assistant | Lead Security Officer | |
| Yearly salary | $38,261 | $43,560 |
| Hourly rate | $18.39 | $20.94 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 102,858 | 114,945 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 34% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
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.
A lead security officer manages the members of a security team assigned to a certain shift. Lead security officers plan, organize, direct, and schedule work. They train personnel and recommend applicants for corrective action and training opportunities. It is their job to verify identification upon entry to a facility. They see to it that a secure environment for events is well-maintained. Also, they develop an execution plan and cloud strategy for the technology advisory board.
Security assistants and lead security officers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Security Assistant | Lead Security Officer | |
| Average salary | $38,261 | $43,560 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $59,000 | Between $24,000 And $77,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Arlington, VA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Virginia |
| Best paying company | Inter-Con Security Systems | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Government | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a security assistant and a lead security officer in terms of educational background:
| Security Assistant | Lead Security Officer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 34% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between security assistants' and lead security officers' demographics:
| Security Assistant | Lead Security Officer | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 56.4% Female, 43.6% | Male, 76.2% Female, 23.8% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 13.5% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 5.5% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |