The average compensation for security professionals in the United States in 2007 rose more than 33 percent to $117,100, a $29,000 increase compared to 2006, according to the 2007 ASIS Int’l U.S. Salary Survey.
Scheduled to be released in September, the survey attributes the sizeable increase in compensation to a rise in the number of security professionals holding stock options (a jump from 4 percent of respondents in 2006 to 17 percent in 2007) and the dollar value of the stock options rising by 50 percent vs. 2006. Performance bonuses were also awarded to 54 percent of this year’s respondents vs. only 17 percent who received these bonuses two years ago.
The median compensation (the midpoint at which half the sample makes more and half less) — deemed a more representative number by the ASIS — rose 6 percent, from $86,000 in 2006 to $91,000 in 2007. The increase marks the fourth consecutive year compensation has outpaced inflation.
Other key findings of the survey include:
Respondents holding a professional security certification reported compensation 18-percent higher than those with no certification. The CPP designation was held by 37 percent of respondents. Their median compensation was $99,400 and their average compensation was $126,000.
Female security professionals comprised just 5 percent of the respondents; they reported a median 2007 income of $81,000 and an average of $96,400. Their male counterparts reported a median 2007 salary of $91,000 and an average of $119,000. Despite the 11-percent compensation gap, for the second consecutive year women’s compensation rose faster (9 percent) than men’s (6 percent).
Security professionals with the title of “Director of Security” comprised 16 percent of respondents; they reported a median compensation of $113,000. The title, “Chief Security Officer” was held by just 3 percent of respondents; they reported a median compensation of $108,000.
Forty percent of respondents indicated they served as the top-level security person within their organization and reported a median compensation of $100,000. This is an 8-percent rise compared to the previous year and 14-percent higher than their colleagues who were not the top-level security professional.
Security professionals charged with a single location reported a median income of $75,000 in 2007. Managers with responsibility for multiple locations reported a median of $79,000. Thirty percent of respondents reported interstate responsibilities and had a median compensation of $96,000. Nineteen percent had international responsibilities and reported a median income of $112,000 and an average of $160,000.
Full results of the 2007 ASIS Int’l U.S. Salary Survey will be available in book form at the ASIS Int’l 53rd Annual Seminar and Exhibits in Las Vegas, Sept. 24-27.
