Security Management Specialists
Machines can already do 42% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 68%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Security Management Specialists in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 42% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 18% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2029, and 68% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 1,087,090 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $83,050 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 75% for contact with people.
- Also called: Physical Security Engineer, Physical Security Specialist, Security Advisor, Security Analyst.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conduct security audits to identify potential vulnerabilities related to physical security or staff safety | 8% | 3% to 30% | |
| Prepare, maintain, or update security procedures, security system drawings, or related documentation | 8% | 79% to 87% | |
| Assess the nature and level of physical security threats so that the scope of the problem can be determined | 6% | 60% to 90% | |
| Perform risk analyses so that appropriate countermeasures can be developed | 6% | 82% to 97% | |
| Design security policies, programs, or practices to ensure adequate security relating to alarm response, access card use, and other security needs | 6% | 35% to 65% | |
| Design, implement, or establish requirements for security systems, video surveillance, motion detection, or closed-circuit television systems to ensure proper installation and operation | 6% | 50% to 85% | |
| Inspect physical security design features, installations, or programs to ensure compliance with applicable standards or regulations | 5% | 3% to 30% | |
| Develop conceptual designs of security systems | 5% | 35% to 65% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills security management specialists use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Loss Prevention Managers63% of tasks by 2035 · US median $141,900
- Security Managers60% of tasks by 2035 · US median $106,660
- Retail Loss Prevention Specialists59% of tasks by 2035 · US median $42,540
- Chief Legal Officers53% of tasks by 2035
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Security Management Specialists?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2029. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of security management specialists?
Machines can do 42% of the tasks of security management specialists today and 68% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 13-1199.07 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Security Management Specialists: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/security-management-specialists/