Guard, patrol, or monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules. May operate x-ray and metal detector equipment.
Security Guards
SOC: 33-9032 O*NET: 33-9032.00
Median Salary
$38,370
per year
Job Growth
📉 0.4%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
161
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Guard, patrol, or monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules. May operate x-ray and metal detector equipment.
What does a Security Guards do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$29,800
10th percentile
Early Career
$35,100
25th percentile
Median
$38,370
50th percentile
Experienced
$46,660
75th percentile
Top Earners
$59,580
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$29,800
25th
$35,100
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$38,370
Mean: $42,890
75th
$46,660
90th
$59,580
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $29,780 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $35,100 and $46,660
- •Salary spread is 30.1% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 1,241,770 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:1,262,100
Top Industries
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services62%
Administrative and Support Services62%
Investigation and Security Services60.3%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+0.4%
Annual Openings:161,000
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)1,262,100
Current
2034 (Projected)1,267,100
+0.4%
+5,100
Employment Change
+0.4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Security Guards professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
185,510 jobs$43,9301.28x
New York
132,140 jobs$42,6801.72x
Texas
99,370 jobs$33,3900.89x
Florida
95,350 jobs$36,0901.21x
Illinois
53,560 jobs$38,6301.10x
Pennsylvania
43,710 jobs$37,6800.90x
New Jersey
37,970 jobs$38,7201.11x
Georgia
35,410 jobs$35,6700.91x
Ohio
34,590 jobs$36,1800.78x
Virginia
33,440 jobs$43,4401.02x
North Carolina
29,360 jobs$35,9000.74x
Tennessee
28,260 jobs$36,0901.07x
Maryland
27,220 jobs$38,5901.23x
Arizona
26,720 jobs$38,5601.04x
Michigan
25,760 jobs$38,1200.73x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Monitoring
92%
#3
Speaking
82%
#4
Critical Thinking
74%
#5
Coordination
66%
#6
Social Perceptiveness
58%
#7
Judgment and Decision Making
48%
#8
Reading Comprehension
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Monitoring
advanced4.6
92%
Speaking
intermediate4.1
82%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.7
74%
Coordination
intermediate3.3
66%
Social Perceptiveness
basic2.9
58%
Judgment and Decision Making
basic2.4
48%
Reading Comprehension
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Monitoring
advancedImportance92%
skills
4.6/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance82%
skills
4.1/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance58%
skills
2.9/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance48%
abilities
2.4/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Musicians and Singers88%
5 shared skills
Registered Nurses80%
5 shared skills
Athletes and Sports Competitors80%
5 shared skills
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film80%
5 shared skills
Police Identification and Records Officers80%
5 shared skills
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare80%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Coordination
- →Social Perceptiveness
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Speaking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Security Guards
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft SharePoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
14
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (12)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Patrol industrial or commercial premises to prevent and detect signs of intrusion and ensure security of doors, windows, and gates.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Answer alarms and investigate disturbances.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Monitor and authorize entrance and departure of employees, visitors, and other persons to guard against theft and maintain security of premises.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping94% perform96%
4
Write reports of daily activities and irregularities, such as equipment or property damage, theft, presence of unauthorized persons, or unusual occurrences.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Call police or fire departments in cases of emergency, such as fire or presence of unauthorized persons.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Circulate among visitors, patrons, or employees to preserve order and protect property.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Answer telephone calls to take messages, answer questions, and provide information during non-business hours or when switchboard is closed.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Warn persons of rule infractions or violations, and apprehend or evict violators from premises, using force when necessary.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Operate detecting devices to screen individuals and prevent passage of prohibited articles into restricted areas.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Operations & Execution76% perform84%
10
Escort or drive motor vehicle to transport individuals to specified locations or to provide personal protection.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •50% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Security Guards
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Security Guards professionals typically have a RCE Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Security Guards
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.78
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.76
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.75
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.70
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.70
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.60
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.8
Self-Control
4.8
Dependability
4.8
Cooperation
4.7
Concern for Others
4.7
Attention to Detail
4.6
Stress Tolerance
4.5
Independence
4.5
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.3
Leadership
4.3
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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