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The differences between airline security representatives and security guards can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an airline security representative has an average salary of $45,069, which is higher than the $31,983 average annual salary of a security guard.
The top three skills for an airline security representative include DOD, SCI and security clearance. The most important skills for a security guard are customer service, patrol, and ladders.
| Airline Security Representative | Security Guard | |
| Yearly salary | $45,069 | $31,983 |
| Hourly rate | $21.67 | $15.38 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 94,082 | 101,728 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
An airline security representative is an airport employee who screens passengers and visitors for forbidden articles such as weapons or explosives to prevent them from being carried into the restricted area of the air terminal. Airline security representatives must examine the contents of trays and direct individuals to pass through the metal-detecting device. They are required to place carry-on baggage or other containers onto the x-ray device and monitor the screen to detect forbidden articles. Airline security representatives must also screen boarding passengers for aircraft hijackers who are profiled by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Security guards are responsible for maintaining and ensuring the peace and safety of the building they are assigned to. They ensure that everyone who enters the building has official business to be done in the building. They are also in charge of patrolling and monitoring activities within the area. Security guards are also tasked to immobilize anyone who seems to pose a threat to the peace and safety of the building. They are also responsible for preventing any untoward incidences or crimes that may happen in the area. Security guards must be observant and alert to be able to succeed in their roles.
Airline security representatives and security guards have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Airline Security Representative | Security Guard | |
| Average salary | $45,069 | $31,983 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $80,000 | Between $25,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Lakewood, WA |
| Highest paying state | - | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | - | Basin Electric Power Cooperative |
| Best paying industry | - | Utilities |
There are a few differences between an airline security representative and a security guard in terms of educational background:
| Airline Security Representative | Security Guard | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Most common major | Business | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between airline security representatives' and security guards' demographics:
| Airline Security Representative | Security Guard | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 59.8% Female, 40.2% | Male, 72.0% Female, 28.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.6% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 5.9% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% | Black or African American, 12.7% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 21.0% Asian, 5.3% White, 54.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |