Security Specialist Jobs in California

Security Specialist jobs in California are in strong demand, with active hiring concentrated in defense contracting, technology, financial services, and government agencies, and openings ranging from entry-level security analysts through senior roles in threat intelligence and compliance. The largest hiring markets are Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area, where employers like Northrop Grumman, Leidos, and Wells Fargo maintain significant California operations. The most sought-after specialties include cybersecurity, physical security management, and information assurance. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find Security Specialist Jobs

Overview

Open roles31+
Top employerTarget
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Cities hiring19
Work type87% On-site
Top industryRetail

Showing 5 of 31+ Security Specialist jobs

Qualcomm
Security Specialist, Associate
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Qualcomm
Added 2w ago
Security Specialist, Associate
Qualcomm
San Diego, California
Health & Safety (EHS & OHS)
Security & Protective Services
$27 - $40/hr
On-Site
High School
10,000+

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Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco
Information Security Specialist, Sr. Associate
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Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco
Added 1mo ago
Information Security Specialist, Sr. Associate
Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco
San Francisco, California
Cybersecurity
IT Support & Systems Administration
Compliance & Legal
Security Engineering
IT Support
Compliance & Risk
On-Site
Other

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Applied Materials
Security Specialist
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Applied Materials
Added 1mo ago
Security Specialist
Applied Materials
Santa Clara, California
Health & Safety (EHS & OHS)
Security & Protective Services
$106k - $146k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Target
Target Security Specialist
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Target
Added 2w ago
Target Security Specialist
Target
Antioch, California
Health & Safety (EHS & OHS)
Security & Protective Services
$22.00/hr
On-Site
High School
10,000+

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Target
Target Security Specialist
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Target
Added 3w ago
Target Security Specialist
Target
San Pedro, California
Health & Safety (EHS & OHS)
Security & Protective Services
$21.00/hr
On-Site
High School
10,000+

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See All 31 Security Specialist Jobs in California

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Security Specialist Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Francisco
7 jobs
Culver City
2 jobs
Livermore
2 jobs
Los Angeles
2 jobs
Palo Alto
2 jobs
Santa Clara
2 jobs
Antioch
1 jobs
Chula Vista
1 jobs
Compton
1 jobs

Security Specialist Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Target
    Target10
  • Datadog
    Datadog2
  • Applied Materials
    Applied Materials1
  • Cohesity
    Cohesity1
  • Control Risks
    Control Risks1

Top Industries Hiring

  • Retail11
  • Technology & Software9
  • Consulting & Professional Services2
  • Cybersecurity2
  • Artificial Intelligence1

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in security specialist jobs across California.

  • Active California BSIS (Bureau of Security and Investigative Services) Guard Card or relevant BSIS registration
  • Associate or bachelor's degree in criminal justice, cybersecurity, or a related field
  • Relevant certification such as CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or CPP (Certified Protection Professional)
  • Demonstrated experience conducting risk assessments, incident response, or security investigations
  • Familiarity with California workplace safety regulations and security compliance requirements
  • Strong written communication skills for producing security reports, logs, and documentation

Security Specialist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a security specialist in California?

The most direct path is obtaining the appropriate registration from the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, which oversees security personnel licensing in the state. Physical and proprietary security roles typically require a BSIS Guard Card, while management-level positions often call for a BSIS Qualified Manager certificate. Cybersecurity-focused roles generally require a degree in information technology or a related field, plus industry certifications such as CompTIA Security+ or CISSP, without a BSIS credential.

How much do security specialists make in California?

Security specialists in California earn a median of about $87,570 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $46,410 for the lowest 10% to over $169,160 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire security specialists in California?

Employers hiring security specialists in California right now include Target, Datadog, and Applied Materials, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of defense contractors, major financial institutions, and large technology campuses means demand for both physical and cybersecurity specialists remains steady across the state.

Which California cities have the most security specialist jobs?

The cities with the most security specialist openings in California are San Francisco, Culver City, and Livermore. This distribution reflects Los Angeles's dense mix of entertainment, finance, and government facilities, San Diego's large defense and military contractor presence, and the Bay Area's concentration of technology companies requiring cybersecurity and information assurance professionals.

Are there remote security specialist jobs in California?

Yes, but they are limited, since a significant portion of security specialist work is hands-on and site-specific. About 13% of security specialist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those positions are concentrated in cybersecurity, threat analysis, and compliance roles rather than physical security or facilities-based positions.

How can I get hired as a security specialist in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry point is obtaining a BSIS Guard Card and applying for security officer or security associate roles at large California employers such as Allied Universal, Securitas, or major hospital systems and university campuses. These organizations regularly hire candidates without prior experience and promote into specialist roles internally. Pairing your Guard Card with a CompTIA Security+ certification strengthens your candidacy for roles that bridge physical and information security responsibilities.

Where can I find and apply to security specialist jobs in California?

You can find and apply to security specialist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries and metro areas. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.

See All 31 Security Specialist Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Security Specialist Jobs