Senior Security Guard - $65,760 a year or $31.62 an hour Grumman Security Guard - $65,886 a year or $31.68 an hour Head Of Security Guard - $71,579 a year or $34.41 an hour Security Guards Position and earning potential.ĭirector Security Guard - $76,719 a year or $36.88 an hour More senior security guard positions can earn upwards of $80k a year. The longer you work as a security guard may impact earning potential. The hourly wage for a security guard ranges from $10.17 ($21,159 a year) and to $24.19 ($50,319 a year). The median hourly wage is only $14.27 an hour ($29,680 a year). No, security guards do not make good money. Guards must be strong enough to apprehend offenders and to handle emergency situations. Guards and officers must be alert and aware of their surroundings, and be able to quickly recognize anything out of the ordinary. Security guards and officers may need to spend long periods standing and observing their environment without distractions. Guards and officers must be able to quickly determine the best course of action when a dangerous situation arises. Important Qualitiesĭecisionmaking skills. Guards can also move to an organization that needs higher levels of security, which may result in more prestige or higher pay. Some guards with management skills open their own security guard business. Armed security guards have a greater potential for advancement and enjoy higher earnings. Those with experience or postsecondary education should have an advantage. Some guards advance to supervisory or security manager positions. Some jobs may also require a driver's license. Rigorous hiring and screening programs, including background, criminal record, and fingerprint checks, are required for armed guards in most states. Armed guard positions have more stringent background checks and entry requirements than those of unarmed guards. Guards who carry weapons usually must be registered by the appropriate government authority.
Although registration requirements vary by state, basic qualifications for candidates are as follows: Most states require that guards be registered with the state in which they work. Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations Experience with video technology can also be helpful in using surveillance systems and software.ĭrug testing may be required as a condition of employment and randomly during employment. Armed guards may be tested periodically in the use of firearms.įor gaming surveillance officers and investigators, some employers prefer candidates with previous work experience in casinos or individuals with a background in law enforcement. Training is more rigorous for armed guards because they require weapons training. This may include training in protection, public relations, report writing, deterring crises, first aid, and other specialized training related to the guard’s assignment. Many states recommend that security guards receive approximately 8 hours of pre-assignment training, 8–16 hours of on-the-job training, and 8 hours of annual training. During those few weeks, training from their employer typically covers emergency procedures, detention of suspected criminals, and proper communication. Most guards, however, learn their job in a few weeks. TrainingĪlthough most employers provide instruction for newly hired guards, the amount of training they receive varies. Gaming surveillance officers also need a high school diploma or equivalent and may need experience with video surveillance technology depending upon assignment. Security guards generally need a high school diploma or equivalent, although some jobs may not have any education requirements. Most states require guards to be registered with the state, especially if they carry a firearm. Gaming surveillance officers sometimes need experience with security and video surveillance. Most security guard jobs require a high school diploma.