How to hire a security manager

How to hire a security manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step security manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a security manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new security manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a security manager do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the security manager you need to hire. Certain security manager roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a security manager to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a security manager that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of security managers.

   Type of Security Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Security Manager		$35-79
   Transportation Officer	A Transportation Officer is an expert in all transport affairs. Serving in this role, your duties will include ensuring the provision of transportation to inmates for medical appointments and emergency response... Show more	$13-43
   Chief Of Security	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... Show more	$29-88

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Cloud Security
   • Security Operations
   • Security Management
   • Security Program
   • Customer Service
   • Security Policies
   • Security Procedures
   • Risk Assessments
   • Security Systems
   • Security Issues
   • Physical Security
   • Security Clearance
   • Azure
   • DOD

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Accomplish at DHCP, DNS, NFS troubleshooting.
   • Deploy and manage IPS/IDS tool (OSSEC) on all Linux servers.
   • Manage and overseen all fire inspections and audit forms ISO, clerical work.
   • Manage institution-wide information security governance processes including the creation and deployment of the initial security policy using the ISO framework.
   • Manage the stage and promotional operations for all security personnel, including staffing, payroll processing, and general entertainment organization.
   • Experience in conducting NIST 800-30 risk assessments for HIPAA and FISMA compliance.

   More security manager duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your security manager job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A security manager can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, security managers' average salary in oklahoma is 42% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level security managers 55% less than senior-level security managers.
   • Certifications. A security manager with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a security manager's salary.

   Average security manager salary

   $111,171yearly

   $53.45 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level security manager salary

   $74,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 20, 2026

   Average security manager salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$139,556	$67
   2	District of Columbia	$123,034	$59
   3	Washington	$118,441	$57
   4	Maryland	$115,948	$56
   5	Virginia	$115,676	$56
   6	Connecticut	$115,284	$55
   7	Rhode Island	$115,141	$55
   8	Massachusetts	$114,569	$55
   9	Illinois	$113,974	$55
   10	Ohio	$111,055	$53
   11	Arizona	$108,294	$52
   12	Minnesota	$107,491	$52
   13	North Carolina	$107,414	$52
   14	New York	$106,935	$51
   15	Oregon	$101,581	$49
   16	Wisconsin	$101,499	$49
   17	Texas	$100,659	$48
   18	Indiana	$100,594	$48
   19	Georgia	$99,449	$48
   20	Pennsylvania	$98,970	$48

   Average security manager salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Meta	$176,695	$84.95	193
   2	McKinsey & Company Inc	$169,463	$81.47	14
   3	Google	$161,171	$77.49	45
   4	Gilt	$158,380	$76.14
   5	Bridgewater Associates	$152,011	$73.08	1
   6	Citi	$151,065	$72.63	5
   7	Fox Broadcasting Company	$148,768	$71.52
   8	The Walt Disney Company	$146,724	$70.54	23
   9	Apple	$145,691	$70.04	31
   10	Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group	$145,285	$69.85
   11	Palo Alto Networks	$145,065	$69.74	10
   12	Atlassian	$144,619	$69.53	1
   13	Microsoft	$144,298	$69.37	49
   14	The New York Times Company	$143,006	$68.75	2
   15	Unity Technologies	$141,836	$68.19	11
   16	Vertafore	$141,170	$67.87
   17	ServiceNow	$139,860	$67.24	3
   18	Weatherford International	$137,741	$66.22
   19	JPMorgan Chase & Co.	$137,414	$66.06	60
   20	University of Maryland Medical System	$136,555	$65.65

4. Writing a security manager job description

   A security manager job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a security manager job description:

   Security manager job description example

   Our Information Security professionals are passionate about information security and control solutions for computing environments. While managing a world-class team of technology experts, you'll partner with one or more disciplines, lines of business, regions or locations to respond to evolving business requirements and emerging threats. You'll also leverage your expert knowledge of today's ever-changing cybersecurity and risk landscape to influence IT operations across the firm. Responsibilities include offering guidance, best practices, and support across businesses, leading risk reviews and vulnerability assessments, identifying threats, communicating with senior leaders and other stakeholders, and managing budgets.
   This role requires a wide variety of strengths and capabilities, including:
   Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience Strong leadership skills with exceptional communication and presence Advanced knowledge of multiple IT control and project management practices and experience working across large environments Ability to collaborate with high-performing teams and individuals throughout the firm to accomplish common goals Expertise in application and infrastructure high-availability and resiliency architectures with demonstrated experience in business Proficiency in information security domains, including policies and standards, risk and control assessments, access controls, regulatory compliance, technology resiliency, risk and control governance and metrics, incident management, secure systems development lifecycle, vulnerability management, and data protection
   
   JPMorgan Chase & Co., one of the oldest financial institutions, offers innovative financial solutions to millions of consumers, small businesses and many of the world's most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients under the J.P. Morgan and Chase brands. Our history spans over 200 years and today we are a leader in investment banking, consumer and small business banking, commercial banking, financial transaction processing and asset management.
   
   We recognize that our people are our strength and the diverse talents they bring to our global workforce are directly linked to our success. We are an equal opportunity employer and place a high value on diversity and inclusion at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute, including race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law. In accordance with applicable law, we make reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as any mental health or physical disability needs.
   
   The health and safety of our colleagues, candidates, clients and communities has been a top priority in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. JPMorgan Chase was awarded the "WELL Health-Safety Rating" for all of our 6,200 locations globally based on our operational policies, maintenance protocols, stakeholder engagement and emergency plans to address a post-COVID-19 environment.
   
   As a part of our commitment to health and safety, we have implemented various COVID-related health and safety requirements for our workforce. Employees are expected to follow the Firm's current COVID-19 or other infectious disease health and safety requirements, including local requirements. Requirements include sharing information including your vaccine card in the firm's vaccine record tool, and may include mask wearing. Requirements may change in the future with the evolving public health landscape. JPMorgan Chase will consider accommodation requests as required by applicable law.
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veterans

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find security managers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any security managers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level security managers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your security manager job on Zippia to find and recruit security manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with security manager candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new security manager

   Once you've decided on a perfect security manager candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new security manager. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a security manager?