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What Does it Take to Be a Security Guard?

Career Description Guard, patrol, or monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules. May operate x-ray and metal detector equipment.

What Do Security Guards Do On a Daily Basis?

  • Escort or drive motor vehicle to transport individuals to specified locations or to provide personal protection.
  • Answer telephone calls to take messages, answer questions, and provide information during non-business hours or when switchboard is closed.
  • Answer alarms and investigate disturbances.
  • Operate detecting devices to screen individuals and prevent passage of prohibited articles into restricted areas.
  • Monitor and adjust controls that regulate building systems, such as air conditioning, furnace, or boiler.
  • Respond to medical emergencies by administering basic first aid or by obtaining assistance from paramedics.

Things a Security Guard Should Know How to Do

Below is a list of the skills most Security Guards say are important on the job.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

  • Plant Guard
  • Security Inspector
  • Customer Security Clerk
  • Door Tender
  • Ship Keeper

Is There Job Demand for Security Guards?

In the United States, there were 1,123,300 jobs for Security Guard in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.3% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 70,600 new jobs for Security Guard by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 157,500 job openings in this field each year.

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The states with the most job growth for Security Guard are Utah, Washington, and Tennessee. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Connecticut, or Wisconsin. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Salary for a Security Guard

The average yearly salary of a Security Guard ranges between $20,290 and $49,650.

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Security Guards who work in Alaska, District of Columbia, or Washington, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Security Guards in different U.S. states.

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $26,470
Alaska $47,190
Arizona $29,200
Arkansas $29,330
California $33,070
Colorado $34,890
Connecticut $34,950
Delaware $28,370
District of Columbia $44,010
Florida $27,790
Georgia $29,100
Hawaii $33,330
Idaho $33,330
Illinois $33,560
Indiana $30,180
Iowa $28,890
Kansas $29,140
Kentucky $24,950
Louisiana $28,540
Maine $30,200
Maryland $36,650
Massachusetts $35,290
Michigan $27,840
Minnesota $34,240
Mississippi $25,750
Missouri $37,620
Montana $28,080
Nebraska $34,550
Nevada $30,090
New Hampshire $36,140
New Jersey $32,250
New Mexico $28,990
New York $35,820
North Carolina $31,230
North Dakota $35,420
Ohio $31,400
Oklahoma $31,800
Oregon $29,940
Pennsylvania $28,750
Rhode Island $30,920
South Carolina $33,000
South Dakota $29,880
Tennessee $29,940
Texas $30,090
Utah $33,870
Virginia $36,270
Washington $38,470
West Virginia $27,590
Wisconsin $28,640
Wyoming $32,310

Tools & Technologies Used by Security Guards

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Security Guards may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Data entry software
  • Microsoft SharePoint
  • Symantec
  • McAfee
  • Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
  • IBM Lotus 1-2-3
  • Wireshark

Becoming a Security Guard

Learn what Security Guard education requirements there are.

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Security Guard?

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Who Employs Security Guards?

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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Similar Careers

Those interested in being a Security Guard may also be interested in:

Are you already one of the many Security Guard in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:

References:

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More about our data sources and methodologies.

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