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The differences between security assistants and protection security officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a security assistant has an average salary of $38,261, which is higher than the $35,926 average annual salary of a protection security officer.
The top three skills for a security assistant include customer service, security clearance and patrol. The most important skills for a protection security officer are patrol, safety hazards, and law enforcement.
| Security Assistant | Protection Security Officer | |
| Yearly salary | $38,261 | $35,926 |
| Hourly rate | $18.39 | $17.27 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 102,858 | 122,427 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 37% |
| 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 protection security officer is responsible for maintaining the safety and security within the premises to protect the employees and company assets. Protection security officers inspect the facilities and patrol around the building to identify unusual activities and monitor suspicious people. They also check surveillance equipment and escalate incident reports to the security team for immediate actions to prevent potential hazards and operational delays. A protection security officer must have excellent communication and observational skills, especially in assisting and verifying the identity of guests and checking their luggage upon arrival.
Security assistants and protection security officers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Security Assistant | Protection Security Officer | |
| Average salary | $38,261 | $35,926 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $59,000 | Between $26,000 And $49,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Washington |
| Best paying company | Inter-Con Security Systems | National Renewable Energy Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Government | Utilities |
There are a few differences between a security assistant and a protection security officer in terms of educational background:
| Security Assistant | Protection Security Officer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 37% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between security assistants' and protection security officers' demographics:
| Security Assistant | Protection Security Officer | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 56.4% Female, 43.6% | Male, 83.1% Female, 16.9% |
| 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, 13.7% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.5% Asian, 6.6% White, 53.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |