Security agent vs armed guard

The differences between security agents and armed guards can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an armed guard has an average salary of $43,189, which is higher than the $35,179 average annual salary of a security agent.

The top three skills for a security agent include customer service, patrol and emergency situations. The most important skills for an armed guard are patrol, medical emergencies, and national security.

Security agent vs armed guard overview

	Security Agent	Armed Guard
Yearly salary	$35,179	$43,189
Hourly rate	$16.91	$20.76
Growth rate	3%	3%
Number of jobs	125,019	74,257
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 34%	High School Diploma, 36%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	-	-

Security agent vs armed guard salary

Security agents and armed guards have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Security Agent	Armed Guard
Average salary	$35,179	$43,189
Salary range	Between $23,000 And $52,000	Between $31,000 And $59,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	Anchorage, AK
Highest paying state	Washington	Alaska
Best paying company	Inter-Con Security Systems	Inter-Con Security Systems
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Non Profits

Differences between security agent and armed guard education

There are a few differences between a security agent and an armed guard in terms of educational background:

	Security Agent	Armed Guard
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 34%	High School Diploma, 36%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	-

Security agent vs armed guard demographics

Here are the differences between security agents' and armed guards' demographics:

	Security Agent	Armed Guard
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 77.0% Female, 23.0%	Male, 84.5% Female, 15.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 23.7% Asian, 5.7% White, 52.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%	Black or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 21.2% Asian, 6.1% White, 54.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between security agent and armed guard duties and responsibilities

Security agent example responsibilities.

Respond to accidents, provide basic first aid and/or CPR and complete accident investigation reports.
Provide additional security patrol for numerous school events.
Monitor the facility using CCTV while simultaneously performing dispatch duties.
Establish efficient CCTV monitoring standards by distinguishing still cameras from controllable cameras.
Complete estate security using perimeter patrol and highly advance electronic surveillance and advance intrusion detection systems.
Maintain a standard of punctuality and dependability of attendance and retain myself cleanliness, tidiness, neatness and appropriately attire.

Armed guard example responsibilities.

Check for safety violations such as proper PPE and H2S monitors.
Certify cpr and a first aid, enforce rest area rules, conduct incident reports and crime.
Allow customers and deliveries in and out of Menards' yard.
Receive, inventory, and issuing of ammunition to bases and unit throughout the country.
Provide foot patrols, and CCTV monitoring of medical facilities, as well as lock up and access control.
Verify that everyone has the required PPE, such as hard hat, safety glasses, and steel toe boots.

Security agent vs armed guard skills

Common security agent skills

Customer Service, 17%
Patrol, 17%
Emergency Situations, 10%
CPR, 9%
Loss Prevention, 3%
Safety Hazards, 3%

Common armed guard skills

Patrol, 22%
Medical Emergencies, 11%
National Security, 8%
Emergency Situations, 7%
Law Enforcement, 7%
Traffic Control, 7%