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The differences between security technicians and security officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a security technician has an average salary of $58,338, which is higher than the $31,101 average annual salary of a security officer.
The top three skills for a security technician include customer service, CCTV and control systems. The most important skills for a security officer are customer service, ladders, and patrol.
| Security Technician | Security Officer | |
| Yearly salary | $58,338 | $31,101 |
| Hourly rate | $28.05 | $14.95 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 92,807 | 125,879 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Average age | 44 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 12 | - |
The security technician's main job responsibility is to maintain and repair security-related concerns in a company. They identify and troubleshoot basic network related problems on hardware or software. They monitor alarm wiring and equipment and ensure work is under the safety standards. They also establish system access by issuing ID's, instructing the client on creation password and usage. They monitor access by looking-up ID status by validating owner identity. They also maintain security-related files by receiving, processing, and updating computer security forms.
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 technicians and security officers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Security Technician | Security Officer | |
| Average salary | $58,338 | $31,101 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $101,000 | Between $24,000 And $39,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Battelle |
| Best paying industry | - | Utilities |
There are a few differences between a security technician and a security officer in terms of educational background:
| Security Technician | Security Officer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Most common major | Business | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between security technicians' and security officers' demographics:
| Security Technician | Security Officer | |
| Average age | 44 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.0% Female, 17.0% | Male, 71.6% Female, 28.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 4.3% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | 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 | 4% | 6% |