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The differences between security assistants and 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 $31,101 average annual salary of a security officer.
The top three skills for a security assistant include customer service, security clearance and patrol. The most important skills for a security officer are customer service, ladders, and patrol.
| Security Assistant | Security Officer | |
| Yearly salary | $38,261 | $31,101 |
| Hourly rate | $18.39 | $14.95 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 102,858 | 125,879 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| 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 security officer is responsible for maintaining the peace and safety of everyone by regularly patrolling and monitoring surveillance equipment within the assigned premises. Security officers' duties also include reporting suspicious behaviors, restricting trespassers and unauthorized personnel from entering the establishment, providing incident reports for policy violations, and adhering to the standard protocols and legal requirements set by the management. Security offers must also have excellent decision-making and critical-thinking skills and extensive knowledge of emergency drills in case any unfortunate circumstances arise.
Security assistants and security officers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Security Assistant | Security Officer | |
| Average salary | $38,261 | $31,101 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $59,000 | Between $24,000 And $39,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Washington |
| Best paying company | Inter-Con Security Systems | Battelle |
| Best paying industry | Government | Utilities |
There are a few differences between a security assistant and a security officer in terms of educational background:
| Security Assistant | Security Officer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between security assistants' and security officers' demographics:
| Security Assistant | Security Officer | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 56.4% Female, 43.6% | Male, 71.6% Female, 28.4% |
| 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, 12.7% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 6.3% White, 54.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |