Sector

Security Services & Guards Careers

Security services employs over 900,000 Americans in roles ranging from guards to systems monitoring โ€” with pay about 27% below national median. The sector offers accessible entry points with opportunities to specialize into better-compensated niches.

997K
U.S. jobs
In this sector
$43K
Median salary
Across all roles
Security Services & Guards jobs by metro area
Bubble size = total employment
Security Services & Guards employment by metro ยท ~84 areas
1.Aguadilla, PR83
2.Albany, GA460
3.Albany, OR52
4.Ames, IA172
5.Amherst Town-Northampton, MA43

Jobs per 100K workforce โ€” measures industry density

BLS OEWS May 2024
Understanding this Sector
What it's like to work in Security Services & Guards

Security services protect people and property โ€” there's satisfaction in keeping spaces safe, deterrence through presence, and the responsibility of protective service. Many find meaning in security work.

The challenge can come from standing posts and modest compensation. Security involves long hours watching and waiting. Pay is typically modest. Night shifts are common. Situations requiring response are rare but require readiness.

The field varies by setting and armed status. Unarmed differs from armed security. Retail differs from corporate, industrial, or event security. Quality employers differ from low-bid contractors.

For those who thrive here, the rewards are genuine: protection responsibility, accessible entry, often flexible shifts, and security industry path. If you want security careers, can handle the pace, and take protection seriously, guard services offer accessible entry to the industry.

How people break in

Entry varies by specialty. Investigators need state licenses. Corporate security often requires business or law enforcement background. Certifications (CPP, PSP, CFE) matter for advancement. Building expertise in specific industries helps.

Work environment tends toward
Licensed/certifiedInvestigative workHybrid possibleSpecialized expertiseCorporate clients
Salary vs. national average
-39%
$43K median vs. $71K national
$239K$179K$119K$60K$0K$17K$39K$150K$239K*387 metro areas across 50 states, sorted by salary level โ†’
Salary range across all security services & guards roles
Where your dollar goes furthest
1. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara$93K
2. Boulder$79K
3. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria$76K
4. Durham-Chapel Hill$71K
5. Trenton-Princeton$70K
BLS OEWS May 2024
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.

Median salaries range from ~$71K in mid-market metros to ~$105K in top-tier cities. But cost of living closes a lot of that gap โ€” metros with lower regional price parities often offer the best purchasing power.

Highest paying
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara ยท $105K
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont ยท $89K
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria ยท $83K
Best purchasing power
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara ยท $93K adj.
Boulder ยท $79K adj.
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria ยท $76K adj.
Most jobs
New York ยท 19.7M
Los Angeles ยท 13M
Chicago ยท 9.7M
BLS OEWS May 2024 ยท BEA Regional Price Parities

What the data says about this sector

Beyond salary and job counts โ€” signals that shape the day-to-day experience of working in Security Services & Guards.

๐Ÿšช
Annual Quit Rate
Based on all Administrative Services data
25%
Higher than average turnover. This could indicate challenging conditions, seasonal work, or abundant external opportunities.
โ†‘ 3%vs. 22% all industries
๐Ÿข
Typical Employer Size
Small-skewed
Small businesses dominate. More variety in roles but less formal structure and benefits.
86%
Small
<50
11%
Mid
50โ€“249
3%
Large
250+
๐Ÿ 
Remote / Hybrid Prevalence
Hybrid common
Many roles can be done remotely. Location flexibility is a realistic expectation.
Mostly on-siteHybrid commonRemote-first
๐Ÿ“‹
Credential Density
Moderate
Most roles don't require formal credentials. Skills and experience matter more than certificates.
Few credentialsSome requiredMany required
๐Ÿค
Union Presence
Based on all Administrative Services data
~6%
Minimal union coverage means compensation is individually negotiated. Know your market rate going in.
โ†“ 6%vs. 11% all industries
BLS JOLTS 2024 ยท BLS QCEW 2024 ยท O*NET Work Context ยท BLS Union Members Summary 2024
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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) ยท BLS JOLTS 2024 ยท BLS QCEW 2024 ยท O*NET Work Context ยท BLS Employment Projections 2024โ€“2034
Truest editorial: Industry narrative, sector context, career track mapping, working signals analysis.