Security Guard Jobs in the US: What They Pay and How to Get Started (2026)
What unarmed security guard jobs in the US involve: daily duties, where guards work, shifts, typical pay from BLS data and the employers that hire beginners.
Advertisement
Step 1 of 3: Job overview
Security guards in the US earned a median of $38,020 a year in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and many entry-level roles need no previous experience. Below you'll see what the job is really like, and the next page shows exactly what you need to qualify, including the state guard card.
Pick the kind of post that sounds best to you, and we'll show you the requirements next.
Where would you like to work?
🛡️ What a security guard actually does
A security guard protects people, buildings and property. Most of the job is about being seen, paying attention and reporting what you notice, not chasing people. Entry-level jobs are usually unarmed, which means you don't carry a gun.
On a typical shift, your tasks might include:
- Checking IDs and signing visitors in at a front desk or gate
- Walking or driving patrol routes around a building or site
- Watching security cameras and alarm systems
- Locking and unlocking doors at set times
- Helping visitors, giving directions and calling for help in an emergency
- Writing short reports about anything unusual that happened on your shift
The BLS says guards enforce the rules of the property, deter crime and respond to emergencies, which usually means calling police, fire or ambulance services. Good communication and a calm manner matter more than size or strength.
🏢 Where security guards work
Most guards work for a security company that places them at a client's site. The BLS says 58% of guard jobs are in investigation, guard and armored car services. The rest are hired directly by places that need protection.
- Security companies: placed at offices, warehouses, apartment buildings and construction sites
- Schools and colleges: about 7% of guard jobs, per BLS
- Hospitals and care facilities: about 6% of guard jobs
- Stores and malls: about 5% of guard jobs
- Hotels and restaurants: about 4% of guard jobs
- Events and venues: concerts, sports games and festivals, often as part-time work
Some of these settings pay more than others, as you'll see in the pay section below.
Want to know if you meet the age, training and background rules? It only takes a minute to check.
💰 How much security guards earn
These are the latest national figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, based on May 2025 data. Your actual rate depends on your state, your city, the employer and the site.
| Security guards (BLS, May 2025) | Yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earned less than | $30,210 |
| Median (half earn more, half less) | $38,020 |
| Highest 10% earned more than | $58,840 |
For a full-time year, the median works out to roughly $18 an hour. Entry-level guards often start below the median and move up with experience, extra training or better-paid posts.
Where you work makes a difference too. The BLS lists these median yearly wages by industry for May 2025:
- Healthcare and social assistance: $44,920
- Educational services: $44,250
- Hotels and food services: $37,640
- Security companies (investigation, guard and armored car services): $37,350
- Retail stores: $35,640
🕒 Shifts and schedules
Buildings need protecting around the clock, so security is a 24/7 job. The BLS says guards usually work shifts of about 8 hours, often on a rotating schedule, and night shifts are common.
- Day shift: busy front desks, visitor check-in and lobby work
- Evening shift: closing up buildings, patrols and event work
- Overnight shift: quieter posts, camera monitoring and patrols
- Part-time and weekend: events, retail and fill-in shifts
Most guards work full time, according to the BLS. If you need a fixed schedule, ask about it early, because some sites rotate shifts.
Next up: the age rule, the guard card your state may require and the background check.
⭐ Big employers that hire beginners
Several large security companies hire entry-level officers across the US. Openings change all the time, so check each company's official careers site for jobs near you.
- Allied Universal: says many of its security officer roles are entry-level and built for people without experience, with training given after hire. Its FAQ says you don't need a security license before you apply.
- Securitas USA: lists a minimum age of 18, a high school diploma or GED (or willingness to join its GED sponsorship program) and a drug and background screening.
- GardaWorld: its careers page lists openings at all levels in the US and mentions paid training and mentorship.
Hospitals, colleges, hotels and stores also hire their own guards directly, so it's worth searching beyond the big security firms.
🙋 Who this job suits
Security work can be a good fit if any of these sound like you:
- You want a job you can start without a college degree or years of experience
- You're calm, reliable and good at talking with people
- You don't mind nights, weekends or standing and walking for long periods
- You want a path that can lead to supervisor, patrol or armed roles later
It may be harder if you struggle to stay alert on quiet overnight shifts, or if you have criminal convictions that could fail a state background check.
Curious whether you'd pass the checks? The requirements page lays them out in plain English.
✅ What to expect next
Getting started usually means three things: meeting the basic rules, getting your state guard card or licence if your state requires one, and passing your employer's checks. The BLS says most states require guards to be licensed, and basic requirements include being at least 18, passing a background check and completing training.
The details differ a lot by state. California, Florida and New York, for example, each have their own training hours and application process.
On the next page: the age rule, the guard card rules in California, Florida and New York, the fingerprints and background check, and the mistakes that get applicants rejected.
🔥 Other jobs hiring now
Still deciding? These entry-level jobs are also worth a look, and each guide explains pay and how hiring works.
Disclaimer: This is an independent information website. We are not a security company, employer or recruiter, and we do not hire anyone or collect job applications. Pay and licensing rules change and vary by state, so always check the official state licensing agency and employer careers site before you apply. Never pay anyone to get a job.