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Director of Physical Security Salary in the United States

How much does a Director of Physical Security make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Director of Physical Security in the United States is $136,254 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $66.

However, a Director of Physical Security's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $160,307
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $117,350 to $148,844
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $100,139
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Director of Physical Security Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Director of Physical Security Salaries

A Director of Physical Security's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Director of Physical Security Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Director of Physical Security's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $125,324
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $126,321
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $129,644
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $133,631
  • Expert (over 8 years): $136,603
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Director of Physical Security less than 1 year $125,324
Early Career Level Director of Physical Security 1-2 years $126,321
Mid-Level Level Director of Physical Security 2-4 years $129,644
Senior-Level Level Director of Physical Security 5-8 years $133,631
Expert Level Director of Physical Security over 8 years $136,603

How Do Director of Physical Security Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Director of Physical Securities. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $150,860.
  • California: $150,288.
  • Massachusetts: $148,285.

Top Paying Cities for Director of Physical Security

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $171,857
  • San Francisco: $169,976
  • Oakland: $166,393

Director of Physical Security Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Director of Physical Security roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 0% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 12% above the average. Conversely, Director of Physical Security positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Director of Physical Security as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Director of Physical Security

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit $153,286 $74.0 12%

How Education impacts a Director of Physical Security's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Director of Physical Security professionals enter the field with a Bachelor's degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Director of Physical Security with a Bachelor's is between $97,856 and $112,078.

Director of Physical Security Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Director of Physical Security
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 1%
High School 16.7%
Associate's Degree 10.8%
Bachelor's Degree 41.2%
Master's Degree or MBA 27.5%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 2.9%
View as Graph

Director of Physical Security Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Director of Physical Security's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$117,350
Average $136,254/year
$148,844
$9,779
Average $11,355/month
$12,404
$2,257
Average $2,620/week
$2,862
$56
Average $66/hour
$72
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $148,844 $12,404 $2,862 $72
Average $136,254 $11,355 $2,620 $66
25th Percentile $117,350 $9,779 $2,257 $56

Most common benefits for Director of Physical Security

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Director of Physical Security

Here are companies hiring for Director of Physical Security and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Director of Physical Security Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Director of Physical Security job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Director of Physical Security

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Director of Physical Security?

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Director of Physical Security roles, with salaries approximately 12% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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