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.
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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.
Related Job Titles
- 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.
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.
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.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Security Guard?
Who Employs Security Guards?
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
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:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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