How To Become A Security Specialist: What It Is and Career Path

Q: Do you need a degree to be a security specialist?

Yes, you need a degree to be a security specialist. A degree is required whether you are specializing in the security of: People Assets Networks Telecommunications systems IT systems

Q: How long does it take to become a security specialist?

It takes four or more years to become a security specialist. Depending on the security specialist field, it can take more or less time. Physical security specialists can get by with an associate's degree, which generally takes two years.

Q: How much do security specialists make?

Security specialists make between $50,000 and $145,000 per year. How much a security specialist makes heavily depends on which security specialist field they are in. A physical security specialist can make anywhere between $60,000 and just over $100,000 per year. The estimated entry-level physical security specialist salary is $40,000. The average salary is closer to $70,000 per year at mid-level, with higher-level physical security specialists making $90,000 to $100,000 per year.

Q: How much does a physical security specialist make?

A physical security specialist makes an average of $70,000 per year. Experience level is a direct contributor to higher salaries. Physical security specialists in entry-level positions make the least in the field, averaging $40,000 per year. Entry-level positions provide many of the necessary skills needed for higher-level positions, which is why mid-level positions get a significant salary increase. Mid-level physical security specialists make an average of $70,000 per year.

Q: What is the role of a security specialist?

A security specialist's role is to protect and provide preventative safety and security for different departments. A security specialist can provide security for: People Assets Networks Telecommunication systems IT systems

What is a security specialist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A security specialist ensures the protection of an organization's assets and information. They assess potential risks, develop security protocols, and implement protective measures such as firewalls, encryption, and access controls. They also monitor for threats and respond to security incidents. A security specialist may work in industries including healthcare, finance, government, or technology. They stay up-to-date with security trends and technologies to effectively safeguard assets against cyber-attacks, data breaches, and security threats.

ScoreSecurity SpecialistUS Average

Salary

3.9

Avg. Salary $49,892

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.6

Growth rate 3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

10.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.59%

Asian 5.77%

Black or African American 13.51%

Hispanic or Latino 19.20%

Unknown 5.31%

White 54.62%

Gender

female 25.99%

male 74.01%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

4.9

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

9.4

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a security specialist?

Pros

High demand for security specialists
Good salary and benefits
Opportunities for career advancement
Ability to work independently or with a team
Possibility for travel

Cons

Exposure to dangerous situations and environments
Dealing with difficult or uncooperative clients or colleagues
Limited opportunities for creativity or innovation in some positions
Possibility for ethical dilemmas or conflicts of interest
Risk of legal liability in case of errors or negligence

Key steps to become a security specialist

Explore security specialist education requirements

Most common security specialist degrees

Bachelor's

47.8 %

Associate

24.2 %

High School Diploma

14.3 %

Start to develop specific security specialist skills

Skills	Percentages
Ladders	14.92%
Security Incidents	11.88%
Physical Security	8.15%
Patrol	6.51%
Customer Service	5.92%

Complete relevant security specialist training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New security specialists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a security specialist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real security specialist resumes.

Obtain the necessary licensing

Becoming a licensed security specialist usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you don't need to pass an exam to become a licensed security specialist in most of states. 30 states require security specialists to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.

State	Education	Exam	License url
Alabama	-	-	Licensed Personal Security Officer
Maryland	-	-	GUARDS
Alaska	Specific course required	-	Security Guard
Arkansas	Specific course required	State exam required	Private Security Officer (PSO)
California	Specific course required	State exam required	Security Guard Registration

Research security specialist duties and responsibilities

Manage firewalls in multiple locations and enclaves.
Manage the application for the FCL, maintain e-FCL and track clearance progress; provide CEO reports for require clearance actions.
Formulate security strategies in compliance with corporate and government regulations including NISPOM, DCID and ICD.
Provide guidance and direction to unclear personnel base on NSA security regulations.

Prepare your security specialist resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your security specialist resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a security specialist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable security specialist resume templates

Build a professional security specialist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your security specialist resume.

Apply for security specialist jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a security specialist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do security specialists rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Security specialist reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2022

Pros

Meeting a lot of different people have helped people in this job

Cons

The pay is not worth what you have to do sometimes

A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2021

Pros

Protecting people and the property where I’m sign at.

Cons

There’s nothing about the officer that I don’t like

A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020

Pros

Yes because is a job that deal with helping people that your help and there's a wonderful happiness while working properly and helping people at the sometime.

Cons

One sometimes people will not like you but they need a help from you but to me a don't call it anything now because I know the status of the job even in a building I have work in that area as a security guard department with my license from United Arab Emirates.

What is a security specialist and how to become one

What are the pros and cons of being a security specialist?

Security specialist career paths

Key steps to become a security specialist

Explore security specialist education requirements

Most common security specialist degrees

Start to develop specific security specialist skills

Complete relevant security specialist training and internships

Obtain the necessary licensing

Research security specialist duties and responsibilities

Prepare your security specialist resume

Choose from 10+ customizable security specialist resume templates

Apply for security specialist jobs

How did you land your first security specialist job

Average security specialist salary

How do security specialists rate their job?

Security specialist reviews

Security specialist FAQs

Do you need a degree to be a security specialist?

How long does it take to become a security specialist?

How much do security specialists make?

How much does a physical security specialist make?

What is the role of a security specialist?

Search for security specialist jobs

Security specialist jobs by state