Security Manager
Oversees an organization's physical security and employee safety programs.
Description
A security manager (sometimes called a corporate security director or safety and security manager) oversees an organization's security operations, including protecting facilities, managing safety protocols, and coordinating responses to threats or emergencies. They work across a wide range of industries — from hospitals and universities to corporations and government agencies — playing a critical role in keeping employees, assets, and buildings safe. People who are calm under pressure, naturally alert to risk, and enjoy leading teams while building systems that prevent problems before they happen tend to excel in this field.
Education Levels
Salary Ranges
In 2025, professionals in this career had median annual earnings of about $104K, with 80% earning between $62K and $174K.
National estimates from Lightcast labor market data cover workers at all experience levels, not just entry-level roles. Earnings vary by year, location, experience, and employer.
Median marks the midpoint: half of workers earn more and half earn less.
Job Growth
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, security manager is a high-growth field, with employment projected to grow 14.2% between 2024 and 2034, resulting in approximately 13,204 job openings nationally.
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Prominent Locations
Based on job postings from last year that are local to the University of Utah main campus
Good to Know
Skills Required
These are the top skills that professionals have in this career:
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Monitoring
A Day in the Life
A typical day involves moving between reviewing security protocols, assessing vulnerabilities in physical spaces, coordinating incident responses, updating safety policies, and overseeing access control systems — with the work shifting between proactive planning and reactive problem-solving depending on what the facility demands. Security managers work on-site across office buildings, campuses, or industrial facilities, regularly collaborating with facilities staff, HR, executive leadership, and law enforcement to ensure employee safety and organizational security standards are met.
Considerations
Keep in mind: Security Managers typically work in office and on-site environments across a wide range of industries, balancing high-stakes decisions around employee safety, budget constraints, and the pressure of being accountable when incidents occur. While a bachelor's degree is often the baseline, many employers expect professional certifications such as the Certified Protection Professional (CPP) credential, and some senior roles may prefer candidates with a master's degree in security management or a related field.
Matched Majors
These majors are recommended based on their relevance and availability at the University of Utah.
Criminology
College of Social and Behavioral Science
Criminology examines the nature, causes, and consequences of crime and criminal behavior, as well as society's responses through law enforcement and justice systems. Students explore the social, psychological, and legal dimensions of crime while developing critical thinking skills for careers in criminal justice and related fields.
Management
David Eccles School of Business
Management prepares students to lead teams, organizations, and businesses effectively through the study of organizational behavior, strategic planning, and human resource development. This major develops essential leadership and decision-making skills for success in any industry.
Information Systems
David Eccles School of Business
Information Systems bridges technology and business, preparing students to design, implement, and manage technology solutions that drive organizational success. This major combines technical skills with business acumen to solve real-world problems.
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