Security Guard salary
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What a security guard does
Security guards protect people and property by monitoring premises, controlling access and responding to incidents. Licensing requirements vary by state.
Day-to-day duties
- Patrol premises and monitor CCTV
- Control access and check credentials
- Respond to incidents and alarms
- Write incident reports
- Support emergency procedures
Skills employers look for
- Observation and alertness
- Calm handling of confrontation
- Clear report writing
- Reliability on solo shifts
Requirements Licence required
- State guard licence or registration in most states
- Background check
- Usually 18+ (21+ for armed roles)
- Separate firearms permit for armed positions
How to get started
- 1 Obtain your state guard licence — often quick and inexpensive
- 2 Start in unarmed static or patrol work
- 3 Add specialisations or an armed permit
- 4 Progress to supervisor or corporate security
Job outlook: Broad and steady demand across commercial, healthcare, events and residential settings. Armed and specialised roles pay considerably more.
Common questions about security guards
What does a security guard do?
Security guards protect people and property by monitoring premises, controlling access and responding to incidents. Licensing requirements vary by state. Day to day, that means patrol premises and monitor CCTV, control access and check credentials, respond to incidents and alarms and write incident reports.
How do you become a security guard?
The usual route is: (1) obtain your state guard licence — often quick and inexpensive, (2) start in unarmed static or patrol work, (3) add specialisations or an armed permit, (4) progress to supervisor or corporate security. Employers typically look for state guard licence or registration in most states, background check and usually 18+ (21+ for armed roles).
Do you need a certification to work as a security guard?
Yes. Working as a security guard requires formal certification or licensing — specifically state guard licence or registration in most states and separate firearms permit for armed positions. Requirements are set at state level in most cases, so check your own state's rules before committing to a programme.
Are security guards in demand?
Broad and steady demand across commercial, healthcare, events and residential settings. Armed and specialised roles pay considerably more.
Do I need a licence to work as a security guard?
In most states, yes — an unarmed guard licence or registration involving a background check and a short training course. It is typically quick and inexpensive to obtain. Armed positions require a separate firearms permit with substantially more training.
Where are security guards most in demand?
See the metro and rural areas with the highest concentration of this work, ranked from Bureau of Labor Statistics employment data.
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Pay figures are estimates for guidance only, not an offer or guarantee. Advertised ranges come from job postings on LocalWork; government figures come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Actual pay depends on experience, certifications, shift and employer.