Security Guards
Guard, patrol, or monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules. May operate x-ray and metal detector equipment.
Also called: Armed Security Officer · Campus Security Officer (CSO) · Custom Protection Officer (CPO) · Customer Service Security Officer · Hotel Security Officer · Loss Prevention Officer
Median pay (national)
$38,370
$29,800–$59,580 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
1,241,770
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+0.4%
~161,000 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for security guards shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $59,580 versus $29,800 at the bottom 10% — 2.0x. The median of $38,370 leaves roughly 55% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +0.4% from 2024 to 2034 — slower than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 161,000 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 54 states with released data, District of Columbia pays the most for this role (median $63,130, +65% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $20,210 — a 212% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Monitoring, Speaking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Writing
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
- Write reports of daily activities and irregularities, such as equipment or property damage, theft, presence of unauthorized persons, or unusual occurrences.
- 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.
- Lock doors and gates of entrances and exits to secure buildings.
- Monitor and authorize entrance and departure of employees, visitors, and other persons to guard against theft and maintain security of premises.
- Warn persons of rule infractions or violations, and apprehend or evict violators from premises, using force when necessary.
Tools & technology
- Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
- FaceTime
- IBM Lotus 1-2-3
- McAfee
- NortonLifeLock cybersecurity software
- Wireshark
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Public Safety and Security
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Administration and Management
- Education and Training
- Telecommunications
- Administrative