Security Guards Salary
The median security guards salary in the United States is $38,020 per year ($18.28/hour). Salaries range from $30,210 at the entry level to $58,840+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 1,283,470 security guards jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 0.4% through 2034.
Last updated: June 2026 Β· Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Salary Distribution
Job Growth (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
Education Required
Training Needed
Security Guards Career Guide
Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for security guardss.
Security Guards protect people, property, and information β patrolling, monitoring surveillance, controlling access, responding to incidents. Career splits: contract security (largest β Allied Universal, Securitas, GardaWorld β guard placement to clients), in-house security (corporate, hospital, university), armed security (higher pay + firearm license), executive protection (high-pay specialty), armored transport (Brinks, GardaWorld β armed + higher pay), casino/gaming security. Path: high school + state licensing + optional armed certification. Career progression through supervisor + management + specialty roles. Median compensation: entry unarmed $28-40k; armed $35-52k; supervisor $45-68k; account manager $60-95k; executive protection $75-140k+; corporate security director $110-220k+.
Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For
How to Become a Security Guards
- 1Age 18+ (21+ for armed) + high school diploma preferredAge minimums for security work. Basic reading + writing required for reports.
- 2State security guard licenseState-specific licensing. 8-40 hour pre-service training. Fingerprint + background check + $50-150 application fee.
- 3Apply to contract security company or facilityContract security (Allied Universal, Securitas, GardaWorld) hires fastest. In-house employers require more experience.
- 4On-the-job training (1-2 weeks facility-specific)Site-specific protocols + emergency procedures + equipment (radio, keys, CCTV, badges).
- 5Optional: Armed security license (higher pay)State armed license + firearms training + range qualification. $200-500 course + testing.
- 6Advance to Supervisor / Site Manager / Account Manager3-8 years experience. Higher pay + oversight responsibility.
- 7Optional: Specialty (executive protection, cyber, corporate security, armored transport)Specialty commands 30-70% premium wages. Executive protection + armored transport + corporate security highest-paying.
Career Progression
- β’Basic patrol + observation
- β’Report writing
- β’Following supervisor direction
- β’Independent patrol + response
- β’Armed protection role
- β’Training new guards
- β’Supervise 3-8 guards on shift
- β’Site coordination + client relations
- β’Incident response leadership
- β’Multi-guard + client account oversight
- β’Client + guard relationship management
- β’Reporting to Operations Manager
- β’Multi-site + client account oversight
- β’Strategic + operational leadership
- β’Executive + client relations
Interview Questions & Answers
5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 11 total plus resume bullets for every level.
Q1. Tell me about your security experience.situational
Q2. How would you handle a suspicious person?situational
Q3. Tell me about a difficult incident you handled.behavioral
Q4. Why our company / site?culture
Q5. How do you handle a customer/tenant complaint?situational
Resume Template β Experienced Security Guard (2-4 yrs)
Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.
- βΈSecurity Guard, [Company], responsible for patrol + access control at 240,000 sq ft corporate campus.
- βΈState Security License + Armed Certification + First Aid + CPR + De-escalation training current.
- βΈZero incidents + zero complaints during 24 months at client site.
- βΈPreceptor for 4 new hires + regular site tour lead for prospective clients.
What Gets You Rejected
- βAttendance issues.
- βPoor documentation habits.
- βHistory of use-of-force incidents disproportionate.
- βBad-mouthing prior client or company.
- βWeak communication or customer service.
- βSubstance abuse concerns.
- βFailed background check without disclosure.
- βUncomfortable with de-escalation approach.
Salary Negotiation Levers
- βHourly rate + shift differential + weekend/holiday premium.
- βSign-on bonus $200-2,000 in high-demand areas.
- βArmed certification pay premium (+$3-8/hr).
- βUnion representation (some facilities): pension + stronger benefits.
- βFull benefits at some contract companies + in-house positions.
- βOvertime opportunities.
- βCareer path to supervisor + account manager.
- βTraining + certification support.
- βUniform + equipment provided.
Security Guards Resume Review β $29
Personalized resume review from someone who has hired security guardss. Purchase, email your resume to support@weblabra.com, and receive detailed written feedback within 7 days.
- β Occupation-specific critique (not generic)
- β Rewrite suggestions for weak bullets
- β Missing skills / keywords flagged
- β Formatting + ATS-readability feedback
- β 7-day turnaround, 100% refund if we miss it
Security Guards Career Kit β $19
- β All 11 interview questions with expert answers
- β 10 real questions aggregated from Glassdoor, Blind, Reddit, LinkedIn
- β Interview format intel for 8 top employers
- β 3 copy-paste salary negotiation emails
- β Resume bullets for every level of the career ladder
- β 30β60β90 day plan for your first role
- β Cover letter templates specific to this occupation
- β Detailed salary negotiation script
- β Ranked list of certifications with cost + ROI
- β Downloadable PDF for offline access
- β Instant access, no expiration, no subscription
One-time purchase. 7-day refund guarantee.
Sample reviews β real customer reviews will appear here as they come in.
βThe interview question bank saved me. I got the exact question about 'walking through a DCF' at my Goldman Sachs superday, verbatim.β
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βThe 30-60-90 day plan for a new grad RN was better than the orientation my hospital gave. Wish I'd bought this in nursing school.β
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Security Guards Salary by State
Best Cities (cost-adjusted) βSalary Map β Click a state for details
Top Paying States
| State | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $64,210 | +68.9% |
| Alaska | $47,480 | +24.9% |
| Washington | $47,100 | +23.9% |
| Vermont | $45,550 | +19.8% |
| Oregon | $45,500 | +19.7% |
| New Hampshire | $45,200 | +18.9% |
| Colorado | $45,150 | +18.8% |
| Massachusetts | $44,670 | +17.5% |
| New York | $44,240 | +16.4% |
| Virginia | $43,640 | +14.8% |
Security Guards Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Falls, ID | $78,680 | +106.9% |
| Fairbanks-College, AK | $60,400 | +58.9% |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $54,670 | +43.8% |
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $51,170 | +34.6% |
| Ithaca, NY | $49,540 | +30.3% |
| Lynchburg, VA | $49,480 | +30.1% |
| Hinesville, GA | $48,780 | +28.3% |
| Walla Walla, WA | $48,770 | +28.3% |
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | $48,690 | +28.1% |
| Rochester, MN | $47,790 | +25.7% |