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The differences between security receptionists and security officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a security receptionist has an average salary of $34,748, which is higher than the $31,101 average annual salary of a security officer.
The top three skills for a security receptionist include customer service, direct visitors and ID. The most important skills for a security officer are customer service, ladders, and patrol.
| Security Receptionist | Security Officer | |
| Yearly salary | $34,748 | $31,101 |
| Hourly rate | $16.71 | $14.95 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 99,739 | 125,879 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.5 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 31% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A security receptionist is the person in charge of an entrance and is responsible for the signing in of visitors and ensuring the premises are secure. A security receptionist patrols the premises, takes phone calls, operates surveillance, and contacts the emergency departments in case of emergencies.
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 receptionists and security officers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Security Receptionist | Security Officer | |
| Average salary | $34,748 | $31,101 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $42,000 | Between $24,000 And $39,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Washington |
| Best paying company | Lucent | Battelle |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Utilities |
There are a few differences between a security receptionist and a security officer in terms of educational background:
| Security Receptionist | Security Officer | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 31% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Most common major | Business | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between security receptionists' and security officers' demographics:
| Security Receptionist | Security Officer | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 23.8% Female, 76.2% | Male, 71.6% Female, 28.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 21.8% Asian, 5.3% White, 53.8% 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% |