Security Guards surveillance officers patrol and protect property against theft, vandalism, and other illegal activity. Guards and officers must remain alert, looking out for anything unusual. In an emergency, they are required to call for assistance from police, fire, or ambulance services. Some security guards are armed.
A security guard’s responsibilities vary from one employer to another. In retail stores, guards protect people, merchandise, money, and equipment. They may work with undercover store detectives to prevent theft by customers and employees, detain shoplifting suspects until the police arrive, and patrol parking lots.
Recruiter & Staffing Needs
Security Guards surveillance officers patrol and protect property against theft, vandalism, and other illegal activity. Guards and officers must remain alert, looking out for anything unusual. In an emergency, they are required to call for assistance from police, fire, or ambulance services. Some security guards are armed.
A security guard’s responsibilities vary from one employer to another. In retail stores, guards protect people, merchandise, money, and equipment. They may work with undercover store detectives to prevent theft by customers and employees, detain shoplifting suspects until the police arrive, and patrol parking lots.
Recruiter & Staffing Needs
Job Prospects
Overall job opportunities are projected to be excellent, especially for security guards. The large size of the occupation and the number of workers who leave the occupation each year should result in many job openings. However, there will be more competition for higher paying positions that require more training and experience.
Candidates who have experience with video surveillance equipment should have the best job prospects in the gaming industry. Those with a background in law enforcement will also have an advantage.
Employment projections data for security guards and gaming surveillance officers, 2016-26
| Occupational Title | SOC Code | Employment, 2016 | Projected Employment, 2026 | Change, 2016-26 | Employment by Industry | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | |||||
| Security Guards and Gaming Surveillance Officers | 33-9030 | 1,133,900 | 1,205,000 | 6 | 71,000 |  xlsx |
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Employment projections data for security guards and gaming surveillance officers, 2016-26
| Occupational Title |
|---|
| Security Guards and Gaming Surveillance Officers |
| SOC Code |
| 33-9030 |
| Employment, 2016 |
| 1,133,900 |
| Projected Employment, 2026 |
| 1,205,000 |
| CHANGE, 2016-26 |
| PERCENT |
| 6 |
| NUMERIC |
| 71,000 |
| EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY |
| xlsx |
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Pay
The median annual wage for gaming surveillance officers and gaming investigators was $33,260 in May 2017. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $23,010, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $54,480.
The median annual wage for security guards was $26,900 in May 2017. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $19,640, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $48,370.
In May 2017, the median annual wages for gaming surveillance officers and gaming investigators in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| State Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals | $54,270 |
|---|---|
| Casino Hotels | $36,600 |
| Gambling Industries (Except Casino Hotels) | $33,860 |
| Spectator Sports | $32,170 |
| Local Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals | $30,610 |
Security guards and gaming surveillance officers usually work in shifts of approximately 8 hours, with rotating schedules. Night shifts are common.
Security Guards and Gaming Surveillance Officers
Median annual wages, May 2017
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics
Job Outlook
Overall employment of security guards and gaming surveillance officers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Employment of security guards is projected to grow 6 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Security guards will continue to be needed to protect both people and property because of concerns about crime and vandalism.
Employment of gaming surveillance officers and investigators is projected to grow 4 percent from 2016 to 2026, slower than the average for all occupations. Although states continue to legalize gambling and casinos continue to grow in number, advances in video surveillance and anti-cheating technology may limit the employment of gaming surveillance officers and investigators.
Security Guards and Gaming Surveillance Officers
Percent change in employment, projected 2016-26
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics
Run Your First Background Check for Security Guards
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| OCCUPATIONAL TITLE |
|---|
| Correctional Officers and Bailiffs |
| JOB DUTIES |
| Correctional officers are responsible for overseeing individuals who have been arrested and are awaiting trial or who have been sentenced to serve time in jail or prison. Bailiffs are law enforcement officers who maintain safety and order in courtrooms. |
| ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION |
| High School Diploma or Equivalent |
| 2017 MEDIAN PAY |
| $43,510 |
|
| OCCUPATIONAL TITLE |
| Firefighters |
| JOB DUTIES |
| Firefighters control and put out fires and respond to emergencies where life, property, or the environment is at risk. |
| ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION |
| Postsecondary Nondegree Award |
| 2017 MEDIAN PAY |
| $49,080 |
|
| OCCUPATIONAL TITLE |
| Gaming Services Workers |
| JOB DUTIES |
| Gaming services workers serve customers in gambling establishments, such as casinos or racetracks. Some workers tend slot machines, deal cards, or oversee other gaming activities such as keno or bingo. Others take bets or pay out winnings. Still others supervise or manage gaming workers and operations. |
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| High School Diploma or Equivalent |
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| $22,300 |
|
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| Police and Detectives |
| JOB DUTIES |
| Police officers protect lives and property. Detectives and criminal investigators, who are sometimes called agents or special agents, gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes. |
| ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION |
| See How to Become One |
| 2017 MEDIAN PAY |
| $62,960 |
|
| OCCUPATIONAL TITLE |
| Private Detectives and Investigators |
| JOB DUTIES |
| Private detectives and investigators search for information about legal, financial, and personal matters. They offer many services, such as verifying people’s backgrounds and statements, finding missing persons, and investigating computer crimes. |
| ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION |
| High School Diploma or Equivalent |
| 2017 MEDIAN PAY |
| $50,700 |
Free Staffing Resources
Top 20 Security Guard Companies
- Allied Universal
- Securitas North America
- G4S Secure Solutions
- US Security Associates
- National Security Alliance
- SOS Security
Professional Recruiter and Staffing Organizations
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National Association of Personnel Services
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Association of Talent Acquisition Professionals
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American Association of International Healthcare Recruitment
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National Association of Executive Recruiters
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National Association for Health Care Recruitment
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Recruitment Process Outsourcing Association
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American Staffing Association
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Top Echelon Recruiting Network
