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Security Guards in Iowa

Thinking about a career as a Security Guards in Iowa? Here’s what the data says. Guard, patrol, or monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules. May operate x-ray and metal detector equipment. Excludes “Police Officers” (33-3050) and “Transportation Security Screeners” (33-9093).

What do Security Guards Make in Iowa?

For a security guards working in Iowa, the median annual wage is $37,380 per year (or roughly $17.97/hour).Earnings range from $30,810 at the 10th percentile to $49,710 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$30,810	$14.81
25th percentile	$34,740	$16.70
Median (50th)	$37,380	$17.97
75th percentile	$44,250	$21.27
90th percentile	$49,710	$23.90

The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Iowa nationwide is 0.51, meaning fewer security guards per worker than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, security guards earn a median of $70,212 per year ($33.76/hour), below the Iowa median.

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 348,968 security guards in the U.S.. In Iowa alone, approximately 6,450 people work in this role. That’s below the typical state, which employs around 14,030 security guards.

Top Iowa Metros for Security Guards

The metro areas below employ the most security guards in Iowa.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA	2,320	$37,410
Cedar Rapids, IA	990	$37,380
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL	890	$36,950
Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA	330	$36,690
Sioux City, IA-NE-SD	320	$36,770
Iowa City, IA	270	$39,600
Dubuque, IA	180	$40,320
Ames, IA	170	$37,510

Top States for Security Guards Employment

The table below shows the states where the most security guards work.

State	Number Employed
California	185,510
New York	132,140
Texas	99,370
Florida	95,350
Illinois	53,560
Pennsylvania	43,710
New Jersey	37,970
Georgia	35,410
Ohio	34,590
Virginia	33,440
North Carolina	29,360
Tennessee	28,260
Puerto Rico	27,440
Maryland	27,220
Arizona	26,720
Michigan	25,760
Nevada	25,610
Washington	24,820
Massachusetts	24,100
Missouri	19,180

Highest-Paying States for Security Guards

These states pay the most for security guards.

State	Annual Median Salary
District of Columbia	$63,130
Alaska	$48,620
Washington	$48,010
Colorado	$46,080
Minnesota	$46,020
Massachusetts	$44,950
New Hampshire	$44,510
California	$43,930
Oregon	$43,680
Virginia	$43,440

Skills

Top security guards skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

Top abilities for security guards, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Common tasks include:

• Lock doors and gates of entrances and exits to secure buildings.
• Patrol industrial or commercial premises to prevent and detect signs of intrusion and ensure security of doors, windows, and gates.
• Respond to medical emergencies by administering basic first aid or by obtaining assistance from paramedics.
• Answer alarms and investigate disturbances.
• Circulate among visitors, patrons, or employees to preserve order and protect property.
• Monitor and authorize entrance and departure of employees, visitors, and other persons to guard against theft and maintain security of premises.
• Write reports of daily activities and irregularities, such as equipment or property damage, theft, presence of unauthorized persons, or unusual occurrences.
• Warn persons of rule infractions or violations, and apprehend or evict violators from premises, using force when necessary.
• Answer telephone calls to take messages, answer questions, and provide information during non-business hours or when switchboard is closed.
• Call police or fire departments in cases of emergency, such as fire or presence of unauthorized persons.
• Operate detecting devices to screen individuals and prevent passage of prohibited articles into restricted areas.
• Inspect and adjust security systems, equipment, or machinery to ensure operational use and to detect evidence of tampering.

Work Activities

• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Getting Information
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Documenting/Recording Information
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Training and Teaching Others
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others

Tools & Technology

Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel

Related Careers

Careers similar to security guards include:

• Security Managers
• Security Management Specialists
• First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers
• First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers
• Firefighters
• Fire Inspectors and Investigators

Also Known As

Access Control Security Officer, Alarm Investigator, Armed Guard, Armed Security Guard, Armed Security Officer, Armored Car Driver, Armored Car Guard, Bag Checker, Baggage Inspector, Baggage Screener, Baggage Security Checker, Bank Guard, Bodyguard, Bouncer, Camp Guard.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 33-9032.00