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The differences between security directors and chiefs of security can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a security director and a chief of security. Additionally, a security director has an average salary of $114,844, which is higher than the $106,803 average annual salary of a chief of security.
The top three skills for a security director include oversight, security operations and customer service. The most important skills for a chief of security are security procedures, emergency situations, and oversight.
| Security Director | Chief Of Security | |
| Yearly salary | $114,844 | $106,803 |
| Hourly rate | $55.21 | $51.35 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 51,781 | 59,131 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A security director is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of the organization's assets, as well as the welfare of employees within the company's premises. Security directors enforce security protocols and policies and conducting training and programs to employees for safety and emergency drills. They also investigate suspicious activities in the organization by checking surveillance equipment and coordinating with law enforcement personnel. They review incident reports, develop security process improvements, and handle budgets and allocate resources for security operations.
A chief of security manages the security team's performance, monitors their company's security systems, and makes sure that the target level of security is met. Now and then, this officer may be expected to be a part of special projects that can fall outside their department but are still related to their job. Having the technical skills, leadership skills, and security knowledge are necessary to perform this job well. He/She or she is responsible for how the equipment provided by the company will be used to help improve the security of the staff, premises, and company data.
Security directors and chiefs of security have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Security Director | Chief Of Security | |
| Average salary | $114,844 | $106,803 |
| Salary range | Between $73,000 And $178,000 | Between $61,000 And $184,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Foster City, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | California |
| Best paying company | Conning | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | - | Professional |
There are a few differences between a security director and a chief of security in terms of educational background:
| Security Director | Chief Of Security | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | California State University - Bakersfield | California State University - Bakersfield |
Here are the differences between security directors' and chiefs of security' demographics:
| Security Director | Chief Of Security | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.7% Female, 9.3% | Male, 89.3% Female, 10.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.0% Asian, 7.9% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.0% Asian, 7.8% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |