Security Guard
Security Guards
SOC 33-9032
How Much Does a Security Guard Make?
The national median salary for a Security Guard is $37,140 per year ($17.86/hour), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024 data).
That's 43% below the national median salary of $65,470 for all occupations.
How to Become a Security Guard
State guard card/license; armed guard license; CPR
This career has relatively low barriers to entry compared to similar roles.
Security Guard Job Outlook
Faster than avg — the BLS projects 4% growth from 2024 to 2034.
That's faster than the average across all occupations (4%).
About 134,300 positions are expected to open annually, from both new roles and replacement needs.
Property protection; event security; 134K annual openings
What It's Like to Work as a Security Guard
Expect a mix of desk work and some physical activity.
This role typically requires in-person work at a specific location.
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Career data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024-34 projections (released August 2025). Salary data: BLS OEWS May 2024.
View on BLS.gov