Security Guards
At a glance
- Median Salary$29,514
- Local Jobs1,236

Occupation Profile

By the Numbers
Median annual earnings$29,514
Median Annual Earnings are the midpoint earned by 50 percent of workers who are the lowest paid and 50 percent of workers who are the highest paid in a particular occupationLocal Jobs1,236
Median Annual Earnings are the midpoint earned by 50 percent of workers who are the lowest paid and 50 percent of workers who are the highest paid in a particular occupationEntry-level educationHigh School
Median Annual Earnings are the midpoint earned by 50 percent of workers who are the lowest paid and 50 percent of workers who are the highest paid in a particular occupation
Daily Tasks
- Lock doors and gates of entrances and exits to secure buildings.
- Answer alarms and investigate disturbances.
- 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.
- Patrol industrial or commercial premises to prevent and detect signs of intrusion and ensure security of doors, windows, and gates.
- Call police or fire departments in cases of emergency, such as fire or presence of unauthorized persons.
- Circulate among visitors, patrons, or employees to preserve order and protect property.
- Respond to medical emergencies by administering basic first aid or by obtaining assistance from paramedics.
- Warn persons of rule infractions or violations, and apprehend or evict violators from premises, using force when necessary.
- Answer telephone calls to take messages, answer questions, and provide information during non-business hours or when switchboard is closed.
Occupational Skills
Hard Skills
- Access Controls
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Closed-Circuit Television Systems (CCTV)
- Criminal Corrections
- Emergency Management
- Emergency Response
- Food Services
- Law Enforcement
- Patrolling
- Two-Way Radios
Soft Skills
- Communications
- Computer Literacy
- Customer Service
- First Aid
- Good Driving Record
- Management
- Operations
- Problem Solving
- Professionalism
- Valid Driver's License
Hard skills are specific, learnable, measurable, often industry- or occupation-specific abilities related to a position.
Soft skills can be self-taught and usually do not necessitate a certain completed level of education. They are essential in many industries and occupations.
Educational Programs
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Type | Credential | Hrs | Online | Financial Aid |
Credit/CE | AAS, TCOLE Cert. | 60/748 | No | Yes |
Fundamentals of Law Enforcement
Type | Credential | Hrs | Online | Financial Aid |
CTE | L1 | 18 | Some | Yes |
Learn more aboutSecurity Guards
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