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The differences between security guards and security supervisors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a security supervisor has an average salary of $41,818, which is higher than the $31,983 average annual salary of a security guard.
The top three skills for a security guard include customer service, patrol and ladders. The most important skills for a security supervisor are patrol, customer service, and incident reports.
| Security Guard | Security Supervisor | |
| Yearly salary | $31,983 | $41,818 |
| Hourly rate | $15.38 | $20.10 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 101,728 | 87,236 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | 5 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | Bachelor's Degree, 33% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
Security guards are responsible for maintaining and ensuring the peace and safety of the building they are assigned to. They ensure that everyone who enters the building has official business to be done in the building. They are also in charge of patrolling and monitoring activities within the area. Security guards are also tasked to immobilize anyone who seems to pose a threat to the peace and safety of the building. They are also responsible for preventing any untoward incidences or crimes that may happen in the area. Security guards must be observant and alert to be able to succeed in their roles.
A security supervisor is in charge of coordinating and overseeing the security staff in a building or within a designated area. Their responsibilities focus on devising strategies, appointing personnel, and implementing protocols that would ensure the safety of an establishment, goods, and the people inside. Furthermore, they must make sure that all security devices and equipment are working correctly, create and manage schedules, monitor and evaluate every security personnel's performance, and maintain a safe environment for everyone. Should there be any incidents, it is crucial to coordinate with the police right away.
Security guards and security supervisors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Security Guard | Security Supervisor | |
| Average salary | $31,983 | $41,818 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $40,000 | Between $29,000 And $59,000 |
| Highest paying City | Lakewood, WA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Maryland |
| Best paying company | Basin Electric Power Cooperative | BP America Inc |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between a security guard and a security supervisor in terms of educational background:
| Security Guard | Security Supervisor | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | Bachelor's Degree, 33% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between security guards' and security supervisors' demographics:
| Security Guard | Security Supervisor | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.0% Female, 28.0% | Male, 81.6% Female, 18.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.7% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 21.0% Asian, 5.3% White, 54.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% | Black or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 21.3% Asian, 5.5% White, 54.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |