A security guard is a person or group of individuals who is in charge of securing a certain location, item, building, or person.
Working as a security guard may be a rewarding job for individuals with a passion for safety and security.
Security guards are in high demand in a variety of businesses throughout the world.
In this post, we’ll go over how to become a security guard and the primary responsibilities that come with the job.
They might have a gun to protect the building or the people they are responsible for, and it is a risky job for many reasons.
For that, you might wonder how much do security guards make, and we will try to answer that question.
Summary
| Guide | How Much Do Security Guards Make? |
|---|---|
| Average Income | $29,680 annually |
| Highest Income | $45,000 annually |
| Education Qualification | High school diploma or its equivalent |
| Training | Complete at least 48 hours of training |
Who are Security Guards?
A security guard guards property against threats and injury. They may work to protect a certain building or location for the duration of a shift, and they are responsible for keeping an eye on the area.
A security guard will handle the situation and call authorities if there is a problem with criminal activity, damaged property, or other disruptions.
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How Much Do Security Guards Make?
As with other careers, having more experience in security will almost certainly result in greater pay.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has statistics that show that security guards earn between $10.17 and $24.19 per hour.
In the United States, the median hourly pay is $14.27. Security guards earn between $21,150 and $50,310 per year.
In the United States, the median yearly pay is $29,680. Aside from experience, labor agreements, working conditions, and workforce availability all have a role in where you work.
How Much Do Security Guards Make an Hour?
Security guards make a minimum of $9.13 an hour and a maximum of $25.00 an hour.
How Much Do Security Guards Make a Month?
Security guards make a minimum of $1,583 a month and a maximum of $4,333 an month.
How Much Do Security Guards Make a Year?
Security guards make a minimum of $19,000 a year and a maximum of $52,000 a year.
Highest Salary of Security Guards In 2023
There is not much information regarding security guards’ salaries because they might vary a lot depending on where they are working and who or what they are protecting.
However, the highest available salary you can know for sure is around $45,000 annually. This equals to top 10% of highest-earning security guards.
Is being a Security Guard Good or Bad?
Security guards operate in a wide range of environments. Some work for huge contractors and work at various sites on a daily or weekly basis.
Others spend every day at the same school, office building, or company. That is why you never know where or how much you will work, which creates uncertainty.
It is also a stressful job because you have to handle every type of bad experience.
If you think you can handle this stress and the people who are making problems, you can become a security guard, and it will be a good career choice for you.
How Many Hours Does A Security Guard Work?
A security guard is usually employed on a per-hour basis and is required to work an eight-hour or twelve-hour shift.
The shift could be either during the day or night time depending on the requirement of the employer.
What is The Starting Pay of a Security Guard?
The starting pay of a security guard is $9.13 an hour or $1,583 a month. The career advancement opportunities in this field are slightly low.
But with time and higher posts, you can make a maximum of $25 an hour.
How to Become a Security Guard?
This is how you can become a security guard:
- You need to first meet the eligibility criteria to become a security guard. For this, you need to have a high school diploma or its equivalent and need to be 18 years of age.
- You also need to have a clean criminal record & have a driver’s license.
- Now apply for a security guard license as required by your state. The standards for licensure differ by state. You may search by state and view each state’s criteria on the website SecurityGuard-License.com.
- Get your training. Security guard training may involve guns and video surveillance, depending on the profession.
- A minimum of 40 hours of training is necessary for a Class D security license. Security guards in Class D work mostly in businesses, schools, hospitals, and shopping malls.
- Now register for your fingerprints and start applying for the job.
Pros and Cons of Being A Security Guard
Pros
- Flexible hours
- Does not require a degree
- Physically engaging
- People-oriented
Cons
- Low salary
- Night shift
- May get exposed to danger
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Security Guards Training Programs
State regulations dictate security guard training, licensure, registration, and certification requirements.
During the first 100 days of the security guard job, most of them have to complete legally at least 48 hours of training.
Crowd management, CPR, use of force, workplace violence, theft prevention, note-taking, and the function of the security guard are all covered in security guard training.
Additional weapons training is necessary for armed security personnel.
Conclusion
The profession of security guards is dangerous and requires some training beforehand.
It could always be stressful depending on where you work, and you might have to work night shifts which could become even more stressful.
However, some people like the adrenaline, and even though it is a risky job, 90% of the time, it is pretty calm.
If you think you like the 10% risk of being in danger, becoming a security guard might be a good option for you.
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FAQ
How much do security guards make when they are in training?
If the company you are going to work at is providing the training, you will get compensation in line with your salary that you agreed with them.
How much do security guards make when they are protecting money?
When security guards are protecting an asset that is high in value, they tend to get either a bonus or a high salary which could be higher than the average salary.
How much do security guards make if they have decades of experience?
If you are experienced in the security guard field, you might get to work at a place where you are protecting high-value asset(s), which would entitle you to a high salary that could put you in the top 10% of the highest salaries of security guards.
Shefali Jain is a Content Writer & Editor at USWorkforce.org
After completing her graduation in hospitality, Shefali decided to follow her passion and started writing. Shefali has been writing for two years now and contributes to our website as a skilled editor and content writer with strong research skills. Writing product and service reviews, biographies, and book reviews are some of her key areas, among many others in which she specializes. In her time at the organization, she has written and edited content on a range of topics, including employment law, human resources, and business management.
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