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The differences between campus security officers and security guards can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a campus security officer has an average salary of $34,425, which is higher than the $31,983 average annual salary of a security guard.
The top three skills for a campus security officer include customer service, patrol and security services. The most important skills for a security guard are customer service, patrol, and ladders.
| Campus Security Officer | Security Guard | |
| Yearly salary | $34,425 | $31,983 |
| Hourly rate | $16.55 | $15.38 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 138,571 | 101,728 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 44% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
Campus security officers are uniform professionals who maintain the safety of students, faculty, and staff members at a college or university. These officers must perform patrols either by foot or using vehicles to monitor the behavior of students while maintaining order during events to prevent disturbances. They must ensure that the physical safety of campus buildings is being monitored by locking and unlocking doors and patrolling using surveillance systems. Campus security officers must also provide first aid while alerting appropriate emergency personnel when responding to any emergencies.
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.
Campus security officers and security guards have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Campus Security Officer | Security Guard | |
| Average salary | $34,425 | $31,983 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $45,000 | Between $25,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | Tacoma, WA | Lakewood, WA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Valley Forge Military Academy & College | Basin Electric Power Cooperative |
| Best paying industry | Education | Utilities |
There are a few differences between a campus security officer and a security guard in terms of educational background:
| Campus Security Officer | Security Guard | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 44% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between campus security officers' and security guards' demographics:
| Campus Security Officer | Security Guard | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 75.4% Female, 24.6% | Male, 72.0% Female, 28.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 20.9% Asian, 6.3% White, 54.0% 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% |