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The differences between transportation security officers and lead security officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a lead security officer has an average salary of $43,560, which is higher than the $36,007 average annual salary of a transportation security officer.
The top three skills for a transportation security officer include continuous development, law enforcement and hire training. The most important skills for a lead security officer are patrol, security procedures, and emergency situations.
| Transportation Security Officer | Lead Security Officer | |
| Yearly salary | $36,007 | $43,560 |
| Hourly rate | $17.31 | $20.94 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 127,192 | 114,945 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 34% |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A transportation security officer is responsible for implementing public transportation security measures, such as in airports, train stations, and bus terminals. Under the supervision of a senior officer, they primarily screen commuters and cargo before entering premises or any vehicles, prohibit dangerous items, manage checkpoints, and respond to any signs or calls of distress. Moreover, a transportation security officer must be alert for any suspicious activity or object. Should there be any security violations, it is vital to take action and coordinate with senior officers right away.
A lead security officer manages the members of a security team assigned to a certain shift. Lead security officers plan, organize, direct, and schedule work. They train personnel and recommend applicants for corrective action and training opportunities. It is their job to verify identification upon entry to a facility. They see to it that a secure environment for events is well-maintained. Also, they develop an execution plan and cloud strategy for the technology advisory board.
Transportation security officers and lead security officers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Transportation Security Officer | Lead Security Officer | |
| Average salary | $36,007 | $43,560 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $44,000 | Between $24,000 And $77,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Arlington, VA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Virginia |
| Best paying company | National Institutes of Health | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Government | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a transportation security officer and a lead security officer in terms of educational background:
| Transportation Security Officer | Lead Security Officer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 34% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between transportation security officers' and lead security officers' demographics:
| Transportation Security Officer | Lead Security Officer | |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 57.2% Female, 42.8% | Male, 76.2% Female, 23.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 14.3% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 22.2% Asian, 4.0% White, 53.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 13.5% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 5.5% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 6% |