Profession · Full profile

Security Guard

Patrols and monitors property to prevent theft, violence and rule violations, and responds to emergencies.

Average salary

$38,020

Salary range

$30,210 – $58,840

Training time

A few weeks

Job market

Slower than average

5/10

Work-life balance

Fair

5/10

A security guard, also called a security officer, protects people and property against theft, vandalism and other illegal activity. Guards patrol buildings and grounds, control who enters and leaves, monitor alarms and camera systems, enforce the property's rules and write reports on what they observe. In an emergency they call police, fire or ambulance services and may give basic first aid. Some guards carry firearms. Most states require a state license, which usually means being at least 18, passing a background check and completing training. The median annual wage is $38,020. Employment is projected to grow only 1% over the next decade, slower than average, but turnover creates about 156,000 openings a year.

A workday

A day in the life

What does a workday really look like?

A contract guard from a security company covers the night shift alone at a business park, alternating patrols with camera monitoring.

10:00 PM - 10:15 PM
Shift handover with evening guard
Reviews post orders, open incidents and which buildings still have staff inside.
10:15 PM - 11:30 PM
First patrol and lock-up
Walks every building, locks doors and gates and checks windows for signs of forced entry.
11:30 PM - 1:30 AM
Monitor cameras and alarms
Watches several camera feeds from the guard desk and logs every alarm signal.
1:30 AM - 2:00 AM
Meal break at the post
Eats at the desk, staying within reach of the radio and phone.
2:00 AM - 3:30 AM
Vehicle patrol of grounds and parking
Drives the perimeter and parking lots, checking fences, gates and parked vehicles.
3:30 AM - 4:15 AM
Respond to an intrusion alarm
Investigates a door alarm, finds a faulty sensor and calls police only if signs of entry appear.
4:15 AM - 5:15 AM
Write the nightly activity report
Documents patrols, the alarm, equipment damage and any unusual events for the client.
5:15 AM - 6:00 AM
Open up and admit early staff
Opens entrances, checks badges of the first employees and briefs the day guard.

Task breakdown

An in-house security officer at a hospital spends the shift on access control, patrols and calming tense situations in a busy public building.

6:45 AM - 7:00 AM
Shift briefing
Hears from the supervisor and night officer about overnight incidents and patients or visitors to watch.
7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Staff the main entrance
Checks visitor IDs, issues passes and directs patients and families during the morning rush.
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Patrol wards and parking garage
Walks hallways, stairwells and the garage, checking doors and watching for unauthorized people.
10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
De-escalate an emergency room disturbance
Talks down an upset visitor, keeps staff safe and calls police if the situation turns violent.
11:15 AM - 11:45 AM
Meal break
Takes a break while another officer covers the radio.
11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
Respond to a fall in the lobby
Gives basic first aid to a visitor, calls the medical team and secures the area.
1:00 PM - 2:15 PM
Security desk, radio and phones
Answers calls, monitors cameras and alarms, and escorts staff to their cars on request.
2:15 PM - 3:00 PM
Incident reports and handover
Writes reports on the disturbance and the fall, then briefs the incoming officer.

Salary data

What do you really earn?

Salary by experience, sector and region.

Minimum

$30,210

Average

$38,020

Maximum

$58,840

Salary by region

Region	Min	Avg.	Max
National	$30,210	$38,020	$58,840
California	$36,010	$43,240	$57,880
New York	$35,650	$44,240	$60,580
Texas	$26,950	$35,980	$50,740
Florida	$29,470	$35,900	$46,090
Illinois	$35,520	$39,490	$63,950

Typical benefits

Fast and cheap to enter

No degree is needed; most guards learn the job in a few weeks of state-required and employer training.

Plenty of openings

About 156,000 openings are projected each year over the next decade, mostly to replace guards who leave or retire.

Work in almost any setting

Guards protect offices, factories, schools, hospitals, stores, hotels and events, so you can choose an environment that suits you.

Flexible shift options

Day, evening and night shifts are available, and seasonal work can be found around the holidays and in summer in some states.

Modest pay and uneven benefits

Pay is low, with a median of $38,020. Health insurance and paid leave vary widely between contract security firms and in-house employers, so ask before you accept.

A first step into public safety

Patrol, report writing and handling the public are core skills for police, corrections and transportation security jobs.

Pathways

Education pathways

Which paths lead to this profession?

On-the-job training

A few weeks

High school diploma plus employer training

A high school diploma or equivalent is typical, though some jobs do not require one. Employers train new guards on emergency procedures, crime prevention, communication and the specific site, and most guards learn the job within a few weeks.

Costs: Paid by the employer; the trainee earns a wage.
Entry requirements: Usually at least 18 years old; a driver's license for some posts; drug testing is common at hiring and during employment.
High school subjects: English, social studies, health, physical education

License

About 8 hours before the first assignment, plus 8 to 16 hours on the job and 8 hours a year (state recommendations; rules vary). California and Florida each require 40 hours

State security guard license (unarmed)

Most states require guards to be licensed by the state where they work. Many states recommend about 8 hours of pre-assignment training, 8 to 16 hours of on-the-job training and 8 hours of annual training. California's guard card, issued by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, involves a 40-hour training program: 8 hours before you register, 16 hours within 30 days and 16 hours within 6 months, plus 8 hours of training every year. Florida's Class D security officer license also requires 40 hours. Both licenses are renewed every 2 years.

Costs: Set by each state. California charges an application fee for guard registration, plus fingerprint (Live Scan) processing fees. Training is paid by the applicant or covered by the employer
Entry requirements: Be at least 18, pass a background check and complete the required training.
High school subjects: Training topics: Protection, public relations, report writing, deterring crises, first aid

License

Varies by state: Florida's Class G license requires 28 hours of firearms training and New York's armed guard course 47 hours, with regular requalification at the range

Armed security guard license

Guards who carry weapons must be licensed by the appropriate government authority. Armed positions have more rigorous screening and training, and armed guards may be tested periodically on firearm use.

Entry requirements: Background, criminal record and fingerprint checks, plus weapons training; requirements are stricter than for unarmed guards and vary by state. Some states set a minimum age of 21, for example for California's firearms permit and Florida's Class G license.
High school subjects: Training topics: Firearm safety and handling, use of force, legal powers, emergency response

Profile

Skills & personality

Is this a good fit for you?

Hard skills

Patrol and access controlChecking doors, gates and grounds, and verifying the credentials of people and vehicles entering a site.
Alarm and camera monitoringWatching multiple video screens and alarm panels for long periods without losing focus.
Report writingWriting clear daily activity and incident reports, often in Microsoft Word, Outlook or a client portal.
First aid and emergency responseGiving basic first aid and calling police, fire or ambulance services quickly and accurately.
De-escalation and lawful use of forceWarning rule breakers, removing violators from the premises and using force only when necessary and allowed.
Firearms handling (armed posts)Safe weapon handling and passing periodic firearms qualification for armed assignments.

Soft skills

ObservationStaying alert and quickly noticing anything out of the ordinary, from an open door to an agitated person.
Communication under pressureGiving clear instructions and explaining rules calmly, even in tense confrontations.
Customer serviceDealing politely with employees, visitors and the public, who are in constant contact with guards.
Sound judgmentDeciding fast whether to act, call for help or simply observe when a situation turns dangerous.

Is this a good fit for you?

✓
Stress toleranceStays steady during alarms, confrontations and medical emergencies.
✓
Self-controlKeeps emotions in check when people are rude, aggressive or provoking a reaction.
✓
CautiousnessChecks before acting and does not take unnecessary risks with people's safety.
✓
IntegrityIs trusted with keys, access codes and property, and reports incidents honestly.
✓
DependabilityShows up on time for every shift, because a post cannot be left uncovered.

Market

Job market & outlook

What does the market look like?

Openings per year

156,000

Trend

Stable

Growth

+0.9%

AI impact

5/10

Smarter cameras, sensors and remote monitoring can replace some stationary watch posts and part of the camera work. Patrols, physical presence, first aid and handling people face to face are much harder to automate, so most guard jobs remain.

Regional demand

California

About 199,480 jobs; median pay $43,240 a year.

7/10

New York

About 134,700 jobs; median pay $44,240 a year.

8/10

Texas

About 106,210 jobs; median pay $35,980 a year.

5/10

Florida

About 95,370 jobs; median pay $35,900 a year.

6/10

Illinois

About 53,830 jobs; median pay $39,490 a year.

5/10

Growth

Career paths

Where can this profession take you?

Vertical growth

Unarmed security officer
0-2 years
Works fixed posts and patrols, controls access and writes daily reports under a site supervisor.
Armed security officer
1-3 years
Takes on armed posts after extra licensing, weapons training and stricter background checks.
Security supervisor
3-5 years
Schedules and supervises guards, handles serious incidents and is the main contact for the client site.
Security or site manager
5+ years
Runs the security program for a site or account, including staffing, budgets, procedures and client relations.

Horizontal move

Police officer
Guards who want full law enforcement powers can apply to a police academy, which has its own hiring requirements.
View Police Officer
Correctional officer
Guarding and supervising people in jails and prisons builds on the same observation and control skills.
View Correctional Officer
Transportation security officer
Screening passengers and bags at airports uses the access control and detector skills learned on many guard posts.
View Transportation Security Officer

Good to know

Practical info

Working hours: Usually full time in shifts of about 8 hours with rotating schedules. Night shifts are common, and sites open 24 hours need guards around the clock, including weekends and holidays. Some states see seasonal work during holidays and summer.
Remote work: No. The job requires physical presence at the protected site; even camera monitoring is usually done from an on-site desk or control room.
Physical requirements: Moderate. Guards may spend long periods on their feet patrolling or sit for hours at a post or in a vehicle. Some posts involve restraining or removing people, and armed posts require firearms qualification.
Typical employers: Investigation, guard and armored car services, the contract security companies, employ 58% of guards. Others work in-house for schools and colleges (7%), healthcare and social assistance (6%), retail (5%) and accommodation and food services (4%). Only 0.7% are self-employed.
Professional associations: ASIS International is a large professional association for security professionals, aimed more at supervisors and managers than at entry-level guards.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much do security guards make in the US?

Security guards earn a median annual wage of $38,020, or $18.28 per hour. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $30,210 and the top 10% more than $58,840. Pay varies by state: the median was $64,210 in the District of Columbia and $44,240 in New York, but $35,980 in Texas and $35,900 in Florida.

Do you need a license to be a security guard?

In most states, yes. Most states require security guards to be licensed by the state where they work. Requirements vary, but candidates usually must be at least 18, pass a background check and complete training. Armed guards need a separate license from the appropriate government authority, with stricter background, criminal record and fingerprint checks and firearms training.

How long does it take to become a security guard?

Usually a few weeks. Most security guards learn the job in a few weeks, and many states recommend about 8 hours of training before the first assignment, 8 to 16 hours of on-the-job training and 8 hours of training each year. Some states require more: California's guard card involves a 40-hour training program. Armed guards need additional weapons training.

Is security guard a good job?

It is an accessible job with steady openings but limited pay and growth. Employment is projected to grow just 1% over the next decade, slower than average, yet about 156,000 openings a year arise as guards leave or retire. The median wage is $38,020. Expect rotating shifts and nights, and use the job as a stepping stone if you want higher pay.

Which states pay security guards the most?

The District of Columbia had the highest median wage for security guards at $64,210, followed by Alaska at $47,480 and Washington at $47,100. California had the most jobs, 199,480, with a median of $43,240. New York had 134,700 jobs and the highest concentration of the five largest states, with a location quotient of 1.68.

Do security guards work nights?

Often, yes. Security guards usually work shifts of about 8 hours on rotating schedules, and night shifts are common because many buildings are open 24 hours a day. Most guards work full time. Day-only jobs exist, for example at offices, schools or stores with fixed hours, but new guards should expect some nights, weekends and holidays.

What is the difference between a security guard and a police officer?

A security guard protects a specific property for an employer or client, while a police officer enforces the law for a government agency. Guards enforce property rules, deter crime and call police in emergencies; in retail they may detain shoplifting suspects until police arrive. Police and detectives earn a median $77,310, about double the $38,020 median for security guards.

Cover letter

Security Guard Cover Letter

View the example

Related professions

In depth

All about security guard

The background, context and details.

Contract guard or in-house officer

Security guards hold 1,294,300 jobs, and the biggest difference between those jobs is who signs your paycheck. Some 58% of security guards work for investigation, guard and armored car services: the contract security companies that supply guards to offices, warehouses, construction sites and events. A contract guard may rotate between client sites, follow the client's post orders and report to both a company supervisor and the client. The other large employers hire guards directly. Schools and colleges account for 7% of jobs, healthcare and social assistance for 6%, retail for 5% and hotels and restaurants for 4%. An in-house officer usually works one fixed site as part of the employer's own staff, so pay, benefits and training follow that employer's policies rather than a security firm's. In retail, guards may work with undercover store detectives, detain shoplifting suspects until police arrive and patrol parking lots. In hospitals and schools, much of the work is customer service and de-escalation.

What states require

Licensing is set by the states, not federally. Most states require security guards to be licensed where they work, and basic qualifications are usually being at least 18, passing a background check and completing training. Many states recommend about 8 hours of training before the first assignment, 8 to 16 hours of on-the-job training and 8 hours a year after that. California is stricter than that baseline: its guard card from the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services involves a 40-hour training program. Armed guards face much more: a separate license, background, criminal record and fingerprint checks, weapons training and periodic firearms testing. Drug tests are common at hiring and may be repeated at random. Some posts need a driver's license, and some states and gaming facilities require anyone working in a casino to be at least 21.

Where the jobs and the pay are

California has the most security guard jobs, 199,480, with a median of $43,240. New York follows with 134,700 jobs and a median of $44,240, and it has the highest concentration of the five largest states, with a location quotient of 1.68. Texas (106,210 jobs, median $35,980), Florida (95,370 jobs, median $35,900) and Illinois (53,830 jobs, median $39,490) complete the top five. The District of Columbia pays far more than anywhere else, with a median of $64,210, ahead of Alaska ($47,480) and Washington ($47,100).

Nationally, the middle half of guards earned between $35,210 and $46,200. Official wage figures are not broken down by experience or by armed versus unarmed guards, so treat any such figures with care.

What employers look for

The bar to entry is low, so reliability is what separates candidates. Employers want a clean background check, a valid state license or the willingness to get one quickly, and a record of showing up on time. Clear report writing matters, because your reports may become evidence for police, insurers or courts. Basic computer skills help: many sites use Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and SharePoint for reports and post orders. First aid training, a driver's license and experience with camera systems all widen the posts you can fill. In interviews, expect questions about how you would handle an angry visitor or an alarm at 3 a.m.; interpersonal skills and calm communication under stress are essential.

New hires get employer training on emergency procedures, crime prevention and proper communication, and armed posts add regular firearms requalification. Camera skills can open another door: candidates for gambling surveillance officer jobs sometimes gain their video monitoring experience by working as a security guard first. Gambling surveillance officers and investigators earn a median $43,370, although their small occupation is projected to shrink.

The honest downsides

Pay is the main drawback. The median of $38,020 is low for a job with this much responsibility: 95% of guards rate their responsibility for the health and safety of others as very high. Schedules rotate, night shifts are common and holiday work is normal at 24-hour sites. The work alternates between long quiet stretches and sudden confrontations, which can be draining. Growth is slow, at 1% over the next decade, and more use of surveillance technology is expected to limit demand somewhat. On the positive side, about 156,000 openings a year mean work is easy to find, and the job can be a stepping stone to supervisor roles or to corrections and police work, which pay considerably more.