Security Guards — Career Decision Dashboard
United States
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Report generated from official BLS OEWS and O*NET data — United States.
Median annual wage
$38,020
United States, 2025
Employment
1,283,470
United States, 2025
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Job Zone 2
Skills identified
35
10 related careers
Career overview
Guard, patrol, or monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules. May operate x-ray and metal detector equipment.
- O*NET code
- 33-9032.00
- Job zone
- 2
- Experience required
- None
Typical tasks
- Lock doors and gates of entrances and exits to secure buildings.
- 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.
- Monitor and authorize entrance and departure of employees, visitors, and other persons to guard against theft and maintain security of premises.
- Write reports of daily activities and irregularities, such as equipment or property damage, theft, presence of unauthorized persons, or unusual occurrences.
- Warn persons of rule infractions or violations, and apprehend or evict violators from premises, using force when necessary.
Choose a location
Salary analysis — United States
10th percentile
$30,210
25th percentile
$35,210
75th percentile
$46,200
90th percentile
$58,840
Most important skills
- Active Listening3.8
- Monitoring3.4
- Speaking3.3
- Critical Thinking3.1
- Coordination3.1
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0
- Reading Comprehension3.0
- Social Perceptiveness3.0
- Persuasion2.9
- Active Learning2.9
- Service Orientation2.9
- Writing2.8
What skills do you need?
Select the skills you already have
Skills listed are those O*NET rates at importance 3.0 or above for this occupation. Set your own level on the same 0–7 O*NET scale.
Skill coverage
0%
0 of 8 identified skills
Matched
0
Missing
8
Your selected skills cover approximately 0% of the skills identified for this occupation in O*NET. This is a coverage measure of listed skills only — it is not a qualification, hiring or interview outcome.
Skills to develop
| Skill | Importance | Required level | Your level | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.8 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Monitoring | 3.4 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Speaking | 3.3 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.1 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Coordination | 3.1 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 | 2.5 | Not selected | 2.5 |
Ordered by required level gap multiplied by O*NET importance. No prediction or recommendation is implied.
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Compare with Security GuardsHow salary varies by location
| Location | Median | Employment | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho Falls, ID | $78,680 | 570 | 2025 |
| DC | $64,210 | 15,880 | 2025 |
| Fairbanks, AK | $60,400 | 130 | 2025 |
| Kennewick, WA | $54,670 | 500 | 2025 |
| Burlington, VT | $51,170 | 410 | 2025 |
| Ithaca, NY | $49,540 | 240 | 2025 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $49,480 | 570 | 2025 |
| Hinesville, GA | $48,780 | 120 | 2025 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $48,770 | 60 | 2025 |
| Kahului, HI | $48,690 | 780 | 2025 |
| Rochester, MN | $47,790 | 520 | 2025 |
| Seattle, WA | $47,490 | 17,030 | 2025 |
| AK | $47,480 | 2,100 | 2025 |
| Napa, CA | $47,240 | 760 | 2025 |
| WA | $47,100 | 25,800 | 2025 |
| Washington, DC | $46,830 | 40,950 | 2025 |
| Portland, OR | $46,820 | 9,110 | 2025 |
| Anchorage, AK | $46,720 | 1,090 | 2025 |
| Boulder, CO | $46,450 | 480 | 2025 |
| San Jose, CA | $46,250 | 11,800 | 2025 |
Career transition paths
Compare the skills of a career you hold today with Security Guards to see shared skills, target-only skills and skill overlap.
Build a transition comparisonCareer and skills data: O*NET 31.0.
Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, 2025 (May 2025 release).
Figures are periodic published survey snapshots, not real-time market rates.