The survey, sponsored by Commissionaires, was conducted in September and October this year and emailed to subscribers of Canadian Security enews. There were a total of 453 respondents. Of the respondents, five per cent said they make less than $20,000 annually; 32 per cent said they make $20,000 to $50,000; 33 per cent said $50,000 to $80,000; 21 per cent said $80,000 to $110,000; and almost seven per cent indicated they make more than $110,000. The most common responses to job category were security manager (26.1 per cent) and security guard (25.6 per cent).

The three most frequent responses to the question “What is the most pressing workplace issue for the security industry?” were: benefits/pension (14.6%); new licensing requirements (17.5%); and career opportunities (25.2%).

Write-in responses to the same question indicated strong concerns about wage levels, both current and potential future earnings. One respondent said that security has “very poor pay considering the responsibilities. Pays about the same as flipping burgers at McDonald’s.”

But people who perceive security as a McJob are the ones who are less likely to rise above entry level salaries into the higher wage brackets filled by supervisors and managers, says James Phillips, who teaches in the Law and Security Administration Program at Conestoga College in Waterloo, Ont.

Some people are under the impression that they can walk into a supervisory job once they’ve completed the two year program. Students are quickly disabused of the notion that security is an easy ride, says Phillips. He encourages them to work in the industry while they are earning their education to temper their salary expectations. “We encourage them to get in at the ground level and see what the industry is like and have a very good understanding of reality.

“You get people who walk in the door and want $15.00 an hour and they haven’t invested in their career at all. I think it’s like any industry — and this is what people haven’t realized — the more you invest, the more you get out of it. Just like a mechanic.”

Of the survey respondents who identified themselves as being security guards making an hourly wage, 45.5 per cent said they make $10-$15 an hour; 13.6 per cent said $15-$20; 37.5 per cent said $20-$30.

Christina Duffey, director of customer service for Toronto-based Paragon Security, started her career as a guard, working in Phoenix and Chicago. She says she has worked her way up the career ladder over the years by continuing her education, eventually earning an associate’s degree with a major in criminal justice and a bachelor’s degree in commerce from Chicago’s DePaul University. The latter helped her get better acquainted with the business side of the industry.

“As I got my degrees and certifications, the salary came with that. It took me to a different level in terms of my compensation,” says Duffey.

“You’ve got to create a way of life where you continue your education, whether that’s with formalized education through a college or just attending seminars. You have to stay current within the industry. Technology changes so much. You’ve got to stay aware. The only way to do that is to stay networked and continue your learning,” she adds.

“It doesn’t matter what level you are, nor if you’re contract, in-house, a senior executive or someone who’s coming out of college — you’ve got to have a commitment to life learning if you want to excel in this industry.”