15 of the Best Types of Security Jobs in 2026

Discover some great types of Security jobs that are hiring now.

High Paying Security Jobs

• Freelance Security

  Salary range: $50,500 - $128,500

  Freelancers are self-employed. As a freelancer, you provide work to clients and invoice them for it. The type of clients you have depends on what kind of services you offer. Your clients can be individuals or companies. A full-time freelancer often has assignments from multiple clients at once. Some common services that people provide as freelancers are: writing, editing, graphic design, web design, marketing, programming, accounting, and bookkeeping. Freelancing is ideal for those who prefer to be their own boss and are willing to market themselves to meet their income goals.

• Security Director

  Salary range: $85,000 - $117,500

  To become a security director, you need a bachelor’s degree and a few years of experience working in security. With a degree in computer science, computer engineering, information technology, business, or a related field, you can develop the skills needed to fulfill security director duties. Entry-level jobs in this career field include security guard and information technology positions. If you prefer to work your way up, it will take a few years of experience on the job before you develop the qualifications for a security director role.

• Union Security

  Salary range: $43,000 - $81,500

  For those who work for unions, some of the specific jobs include researchers, organizers, administrators, lawyers, communications workers, and clerical staff. Your duties include entering workplaces to speak with workers and provide them encouragement and support if they are interested in joining a specific union, or to negotiate with employers for better working conditions, pay, or benefits for union members. There are numerous types of unions, including health care, public sector, construction, writing, and service workers unions, and they represent a variety of professions, such as nurses, journalists, manufacturers, construction workers, municipal workers, and hotel workers, to name only a few.

• Security Coordinator

  Salary range: $49,500 - $72,000

  To become a security coordinator, you need extensive experience working in security, law enforcement, or the military. You must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent, but some employers prefer candidates who have an associate or a bachelor's degree in criminology, criminal justice, emergency management, or a related field. Most security coordinators have several years of experience working as a security guard, but some transition into this career after working as a police officer or in the military. Other qualifications of a security coordinator include excellent leadership skills, familiarity with security regulations, knowledge of how to operate electronic security systems, and the ability to act decisively in emergencies.

• Security Manager

  Salary range: $38,000 - $61,000

  There are many fields on which a security manager can focus. Private offices and large corporate buildings rely on security managers to monitor employee and visitor activity. Medical facilities such as hospitals and corporate medical buildings employee security managers to ensure the safety of doctors and patients. Security managers are also heavily relied upon in criminal justice establishments such as jails and prisons to keep inmates in check.

• Virtual Security

  Salary range: $42,500 - $57,000

  A virtual job refers to a job that can be performed outside of an employer’s office. Also known as remote, work from home, or telecommuting jobs, these positions have become increasingly common because of technology like telephones, internet, email, and video conference calls, which help to facilitate employer-employee communication.

• Entry Level Security

  Salary range: $38,000 - $47,500

  Entry-level jobs are positions that do not require any previous experience in the role. Most entry-level jobs are aimed at high school or college graduates as a starting point for a future career goal. A college student may have majored in their ideal career field, but will still need to start in an entry-level position to train in a real-world environment. Some students move from internships into entry-level jobs, but most entry-level jobs do not expect a candidate to have any prior employment or on-site training.

• Temporary Security

  Salary range: $38,000 - $47,500

  A Temporary job is an employment arrangement in which both parties, the employee and employer, agree in advance that the position will be filled for a set period. Temporary jobs often are based on employers’ seasonal or specific project needs. Occasionally, Temporary employees will be offered ongoing, full-time positions if their performance is excellent and a position is available. However, you should not assume this will be the case.

• Per Diem Security

  Salary range: $38,000 - $47,500

  Per diem jobs are short-term positions which are paid by the day. The most common per diem job opportunities are in the medical field, including positions in nursing, hospice, pediatrics, and midwifery. Phlebotomists, operating (OR) assistants, and pharmacists may also work on a per diem basis. Per diem employees are often contracted to work as admissions coordinators, recreation coordinators, and assistants.

• Security Internship

  Salary range: $33,500 - $46,500

  An Internship is a position within your desired field that pays little or no money but offers you the opportunity to gain real-world experience. This may set you apart for your future job search. Generally, Internships are almost expected by employers on an entry-level candidate’s resume. You are much more of an asset to an employer if you have some work experience.

• 3Rd Shift Security

  Salary range: $35,000 - $42,000

  The 3rd Shift is a work shift that covers overnight hours, roughly 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., for businesses that are open or require staff 24 hours a day. There are tradeoffs for people who work these hours. Those who work this shift find that they work when others sleep, and vice versa. While this can be hard, perks can include a lack of traffic en route to work and pay incentives. Some people also work the 3rd shift to be able to hold a second job or to be available to care for their children during the day.

• On Call Security

  Salary range: $34,000 - $40,000

  When most people think of on-call jobs, medical professionals and first responders typically come to mind. For first responders, like firefighters and EMTs, on-call usually means you are sleeping at the station, ready to wake up and respond to a call quickly. Medical workers, on the other hand, may work a more traditional on-call schedule. While some nurses and doctors may sleep at the hospital, especially during their residency, you may also have an on-call shift where you can leave and go home, potentially never actually coming back. If you want a career as a nurse or doctor but do not like this unpredictability, rest assured that the chance of having on-call shifts decreases as you gain seniority and advanced qualifications. Repair workers like electricians may also work on-call. You may occasionally find on-call jobs in retail or customer service sectors, but this is not as common.

• Full Time Security

  Salary range: $32,000 - $39,000

  Full-time employment hours are generally determined by the employer. There is no single universal definition; however, various laws and policies govern different types of eligibility and statuses. For example, the Fair Labor Standards Act does not define full-time employment but does require overtime pay after 40 hours of work in a workweek for non-exempt employees. The Affordable Care Act, in determining Applicable Large Employers, defines full-time employees as those working an average of at least 30 hours per week, or 130 hours a month. The H-1B Visa Program defines full-time as 40 hours per week, normally, and in no event would less than 35 hours per week be considered to be full-time employment. In practice, full-time employment is typically between 32 and 40 hours per week.

• At Home Security

  Salary range: $33,500 - $36,000

  At Home Security is a typical job search query. Most salaries for At Home Security jobs pay between $33,500 (25th percentile) and $36,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for At Home Security job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• From Home Security

  Salary range: $33,500 - $36,000

  From Home Security is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for From Home Security jobs pay between $33,500 (25th percentile) and $36,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for From Home Security job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.