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The differences between security agents and security guards can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a security agent has an average salary of $35,179, which is higher than the $31,983 average annual salary of a security guard.
The top three skills for a security agent include customer service, patrol and emergency situations. The most important skills for a security guard are customer service, patrol, and ladders.
| Security Agent | Security Guard | |
| Yearly salary | $35,179 | $31,983 |
| Hourly rate | $16.91 | $15.38 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 125,019 | 101,728 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 34% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
Security Agents guard the entrance and exit of a building, watching CCTV footage for unusual activities, and holding trespassers until authorities arrive. Being a security agent is usually a shift-based job and can sometimes last overnight. Security Agents must have first aid knowledge and basic skills with self-defense.
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.
Security agents and security guards have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Security Agent | Security Guard | |
| Average salary | $35,179 | $31,983 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $52,000 | Between $25,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Lakewood, WA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Inter-Con Security Systems | Basin Electric Power Cooperative |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Utilities |
There are a few differences between a security agent and a security guard in terms of educational background:
| Security Agent | Security Guard | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 34% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between security agents' and security guards' demographics:
| Security Agent | Security Guard | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.0% Female, 23.0% | Male, 72.0% Female, 28.0% |
| 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, 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% |