How to Become a Security Guard
Updated October 13, 2026
A security guard job doesn’t require a degree. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma as typical entry-level education, though actual requirements depend on your employer and state. Many states license or register guards, and rules vary widely by jurisdiction. Median pay was $38,020 a year as of May 2025, with 1% job growth projected through 2035.
You could be standing watch in a hospital lobby at 2 a.m. or doing rounds at a casino with a surveillance earpiece in, and what it actually takes to get either job depends heavily on where you live and who’s hiring. Security guard requirements are set state by state, and sometimes employer by employer—there’s no single national standard to point to. Here’s what the job looks like, what tends to vary, and what it pays.
What a Security Guard Actually Does
Guards post wherever a property needs eyes on it: malls, hospitals, casinos, airports, warehouses, construction sites, gated communities, office towers after hours. The job breaks down into two basic deployments.
Static posts: You’re parked in one spot, usually a desk, a gate, or a bank of monitors, checking credentials and watching for anything out of place.
Patrol: You walk or drive a route, conducting security checks at set intervals and writing up anything unusual in a report.
Shift length and scheduling depend on the employer and the site. Properties that need coverage around the clock, hospitals and casinos among them, typically rotate guards across shifts to keep a post staffed at all hours.
How to Become a Security Guard
High school diploma or equivalent: BLS lists this as the typical entry-level education for the occupation, but your actual requirement comes from your employer and your state, not a national standard.
State licensing and registration: Most states regulate security guards or the companies that employ them in some way, but the structure isn’t uniform. Some states license individual guards directly, some register them instead, and some focus regulation on the employer rather than the guard, with exemptions that can apply depending on the type of work. Check the licensing or regulatory agency for private security in your state before committing to a training program.
Training: Hours, required topics, and renewal schedules are set state by state and sometimes by your employer, so there’s no single national training standard. Some states specify curriculum around use-of-force rules or weapons handling. Others leave it to the employer.
Background checks: Most paths into the job involve some form of criminal-history review, but which offenses disqualify you, whether fingerprinting is required, and which agency runs the check differ by state.
Armed vs. unarmed: Carrying a weapon on the job typically adds requirements on top of the unarmed track, which might include a firearms permit, endorsement, training certificate, or qualification depending on your state. Some states require periodic firearms requalification. Others handle it differently. Check your state’s rules directly rather than assuming a national pattern.
Worth knowing up front: security guards generally aren’t police officers, and a badge or uniform doesn’t carry independent arrest power. What a guard can legally do, whether that’s detaining someone, removing a trespasser, or using force, comes down to state law and the specific circumstances, and some states have revised their private-person arrest statutes in recent years. A small number of specialized security roles do carry statutory authority beyond what an ordinary guard has, but that’s the exception. Don’t assume what applies in one state applies in yours. Check your state’s law directly.
If you’re thinking about the field long-term, ASIS International offers voluntary professional certifications, including the Certified Protection Professional (CPP), for security professionals who meet its experience and education requirements. These are career-stage credentials for established professionals, not entry-level guard requirements, and they don’t substitute for any state-required license, registration, permit, or training.
Security Guard Salary and Job Outlook (2025)
As of the May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage survey, security guards earned a national median of $38,020 a year, with about 1,283,470 people working in the role. The Bureau’s Occupational Outlook Handbook projects security guard employment to grow 1% from 2025 to 2035, adding roughly 11,300 jobs nationally, slower than the average for all occupations.
Where guards actually work (BLS OEWS, May 2025):
- Investigation, guard, and armored car services: 58% of all security guard jobs
- Educational services: 7%
- Healthcare and social assistance: 6%
- Retail trade: 5%
- Accommodation and food services: 4%
California employs the most security guards of any state, followed by New York, Texas, Florida, and Illinois. The highest median pay shows up in the District of Columbia, Alaska, Washington, Vermont, and Oregon.
May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Security Guards. Long-term (2025-2035) job growth projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Figures reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a degree to become a security guard?
No. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education, though your actual requirement is set by your employer and your state.
How long does it take to get licensed?
It depends entirely on your state and employer. Licensing structures, training hours, and processing timelines vary by jurisdiction, so check with your state’s regulatory agency for private security.
What’s the difference between an armed and unarmed security guard?
Armed guards typically face additional requirements on top of the unarmed track, which can include a firearms permit, endorsement, or qualification depending on the state. Exact requirements vary. Your state’s regulatory agency has the specifics.
Can a security guard arrest someone?
Not in the way police can. A guard’s authority to detain someone, remove a trespasser, or use force comes from state law and varies by circumstance and jurisdiction, and some states have changed their private-person arrest rules in recent years. A small number of specialized security roles carry statutory powers beyond an ordinary guard’s. Check your state’s law rather than assuming a national standard applies.
Key Takeaways
- No degree required – BLS lists a high school diploma as typical entry-level education, but your actual requirement comes from your employer and state.
- Licensing varies by state – Some states license individual guards, some regulate employers instead, and training hours, age minimums, and background-check rules differ widely. Check your state’s regulatory agency before enrolling in training.
- Pay is modest, growth is slow – $38,020 median as of May 2025 (BLS), with 1% job growth projected through 2035.
- Armed work adds requirements – Expect additional permits, training, or qualification steps on top of the unarmed track, with the specifics set by your state.
Security guard work can lead in several directions: supervisory roles, specialized protective services, or further credentials like ASIS certification, depending on your state and employer.