Private security officer vs unarmed security guard

The differences between private security officers and unarmed security guards can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an unarmed security guard has an average salary of $32,946, which is higher than the $31,059 average annual salary of a private security officer.

The top three skills for a private security officer include patrol, emergency situations and foot patrol. The most important skills for an unarmed security guard are unarmed security, patrol, and law enforcement.

Private security officer vs unarmed security guard overview

	Private Security Officer	Unarmed Security Guard
Yearly salary	$31,059	$32,946
Hourly rate	$14.93	$15.84
Growth rate	3%	3%
Number of jobs	114,851	99,613
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 31%	High School Diploma, 44%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	-	-

Private security officer vs unarmed security guard salary

Private security officers and unarmed security guards have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Private Security Officer	Unarmed Security Guard
Average salary	$31,059	$32,946
Salary range	Between $23,000 And $40,000	Between $23,000 And $45,000
Highest paying City	-	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Inter-Con Security Systems
Best paying industry	-	Utilities

Differences between private security officer and unarmed security guard education

There are a few differences between a private security officer and an unarmed security guard in terms of educational background:

	Private Security Officer	Unarmed Security Guard
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 31%	High School Diploma, 44%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	-

Private security officer vs unarmed security guard demographics

Here are the differences between private security officers' and unarmed security guards' demographics:

	Private Security Officer	Unarmed Security Guard
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 77.9% Female, 22.1%	Male, 65.9% Female, 34.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 21.4% Asian, 5.4% White, 55.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%	Black or African American, 15.2% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 5.7% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between private security officer and unarmed security guard duties and responsibilities

Private security officer example responsibilities.

Certify security officer and CPR, a.
Provide emergency procedures, such as first aid, CPR, etc.
Monitor CCTV cameras to provide a safe and secure environment for all residents and guests.
Used CCTV monitoring to reinforce authorize personnel access, rotating camera shots as necessary for complete surveillance of the area.
Patrol assign area looking for suspicious activity and showing presence.
Maintain a standard of punctuality and dependability of attendance and retain myself cleanliness, tidiness, neatness and appropriately attire.

Unarmed security guard example responsibilities.

Train and certify in CPR and in properly using an a
Experience in route management, ATM replenishment, and vault inventory, processing currency deposits (large amounts).
Replenish ATM's, remove paper jams - money jams, make sure that assign ATM locations are working properly.
Conduct daily activity reports; monitor the CCTV system; sign visitors in/out; conduct daily rounds (perimeter check).
Monitor CCTV cameras for suspicious activity.
Patrol premises regularly and complete accompanying reports of findings or unusual activities.

Private security officer vs unarmed security guard skills

Common private security officer skills

Patrol, 22%
Emergency Situations, 8%
Foot Patrol, 8%
Security Services, 7%
Surveillance Equipment, 6%
Vehicle Patrols, 5%

Common unarmed security guard skills

Unarmed Security, 28%
Patrol, 21%
Law Enforcement, 16%
Medical Emergencies, 6%
Unarmed Guard, 6%
Security Services, 3%

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Protective Service Industry
Private Security Officer
Private Security Officer vs Unarmed Security Guard

Updated January 8, 2025

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