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How to hire a security/customer service

Security/customer service hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring security/customer services in the United States:

  • There are currently 737,709 security/customer services in the US, as well as 224,564 job openings.
  • Security/customer services are in the highest demand in Chicago, IL, with 5 current job openings.
  • The median cost to hire a security/customer service is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new security/customer service to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a security/customer service, step by step

To hire a security/customer service, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire a security/customer service:

Here's a step-by-step security/customer service hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a security/customer service job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new security/customer service
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a security/customer service do?

A security/customer service is primarily in charge of enforcing security protocols in business establishments to prevent theft and protect properties and individuals. Part of their daily responsibilities is to patrol areas, keep an eye out for any suspicious activities or behavior, monitor security systems and cameras, and conduct regular inspections. They may also assist customers by answering inquiries, helping locate offices or stores, responding to distress, and resolving issues or concerns, ensuring customer satisfaction. Moreover, as security/customer service, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with co-workers, coordinating to keep order in the establishment.

Learn more about the specifics of what a security/customer service does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    First, determine the employments status of the security/customer service you need to hire. Certain security/customer service roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a security/customer service to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a security/customer service that fits the bill.

    This list shows salaries for various types of security/customer services.

    Type of Security/Customer ServiceDescriptionHourly rate
    Security/Customer ServiceSecurity guards and gaming surveillance officers patrol and protect property against theft, vandalism, terrorism, and illegal activity.$11-19
    Public Safety OfficerPublic relations assistants are professionals who are responsible for creating and distributing promotional materials to help clients increase their public image and awareness of their products and services. These assistants are required to help develop and distribute public relations materials such as brochures, pamphlets, newsletters, and sell sheets... Show more$13-22
    Protective OfficerA protective officer is in charge of preventing theft and damages in stores and other establishments. Among their responsibilities include monitoring alarm systems and surveillance cameras, patrolling areas, keeping an eye on suspicious activities and behavior, developing strategies to enforce security protocols, and responding to distress... Show more$13-27
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • ID
    • Patrol
    • Security Services
    • Customer Service
    • Customer Issues
    • Customer Satisfaction
    • Emergency Situations
    • Property Damage
    • Front Desk
    • CPR
    • Incident Reports
    • Loss Prevention
    • Surveillance Equipment
    • Public Safety
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Monitor multiple CCTV security cameras.
    • Initiate perimeter patrol and security breach protocol throughout multiple sites to maintain alertness of security personnel.
    • Monitor TSA line for acceptable carry-on (i.e.
    • Enter data into DOD and corporate computer systems.
    • Train on basic emergency procedures and Adult/Infant CPR certify.
    • Dispatch luggage of passengers from the counter to the x-ray machine TSA.
    More security/customer service duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your security/customer service job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A security/customer service can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, security/customer services' average salary in mississippi is 51% less than in alaska.
    • Seniority. Entry-level security/customer services 41% less than senior-level security/customer services.
    • Certifications. A security/customer service with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a security/customer service's salary.

    Average security/customer service salary

    $15.44hourly

    $32,115 yearly

    Entry-level security/customer service salary
    $24,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 22, 2026

    Average security/customer service salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Washington$41,953$20
    2California$39,773$19
    3Massachusetts$37,828$18
    4New York$35,765$17
    5Nevada$34,722$17
    6Minnesota$33,904$16
    7Oregon$33,819$16
    8Arizona$33,700$16
    9Illinois$32,155$15
    10Colorado$31,838$15
    11Oklahoma$31,507$15
    12Pennsylvania$30,824$15
    13Wisconsin$30,772$15
    14Utah$30,742$15
    15Missouri$30,270$15
    16New Mexico$28,732$14
    17Texas$28,684$14
    18Georgia$28,568$14
    19Ohio$28,491$14
    20Michigan$28,241$14

    Average security/customer service salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1JPMorgan Chase & Co.$56,515$27.1778
    2Bank of America$50,013$24.0446
    3Johnson Controls$47,602$22.8955
    4USAA$45,536$21.8913
    5Regions Bank$44,225$21.2624
    6Cricket Wireless$44,103$21.20
    7Uline$42,387$20.38
    8The Dwyer Group$41,160$19.79
    9Apple$41,123$19.7730
    10Citi$40,630$19.536
    11Kimberly-Clark$40,478$19.461
    12CEVA Logistics$40,313$19.38
    13Discover$40,098$19.28
    14Amyx$39,170$18.83
    15SEH America$37,914$18.23
    16Riverdale Elementary School$37,251$17.91
    17Shutterfly$37,176$17.87
    18Paychex$36,843$17.71
    19Tractor Supply$36,677$17.63
    20Amazon$36,193$17.40149
  4. Writing a security/customer service job description

    A good security/customer service job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a security/customer service job description:

    Security/customer service job description example

    Allied Universal , North America's leading security and facility services company, provides rewarding careers that give you a sense of purpose. While working in a dynamic, diverse and inclusive workplace, you will be part of a team that fuels a culture that will reflect in our communities and customers we serve. We offer medical, dental and vision coverage, life insurance, 401K, employee assistance programs, company discounts, perks and more for all full-time positions!
    Pay Rate: $16.50 / hour!

    Weekly And DailyPay Available!

    Must be available to work on weekends!

    Apply Now!!

    As a Security Guard, you will serve and safeguard clients in a range of industries such as Commercial Real Estate, Healthcare, Education, Government and more.

    Responsibilities:

    * Provide customer service to our clients by carrying out safety and security procedures, site-specific policies and when appropriate, emergency response activities
    * Respond to incidents and critical situations in a calm, problem solving manner
    * Conduct regular and random patrols around the business and perimeter. Working environments and conditions may vary by client site.

    Minimum Requirements:

    * Be at least 18 years of age for unarmed roles; 21+ years of age for armed roles
    * Possess a high school diploma or equivalent, or 5 years of verifiable experience
    * As a condition of employment, applicants will be subject to a background investigation in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws. Allied Universal will consider qualified applications with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable laws.
    * As a condition of employment, applicants will be subject to a drug screen to the extent permitted by law.
    * Licensing requirements are subject to state and/or local laws and regulations and may be required prior to employment.
    * A valid driver's license will be required for driving positions only

    Perks and Benefits:

    * Health insurance and 401k plans for full-time positions
    * Flexible part time and full-time schedules that fit with your personal life goals
    * Ongoing paid training programs and career growth opportunities
    * Employee discounts through our perks program to your favorite restaurants, entertainment venues and much more…

    Allied Universal is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/ethnicity, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or relationship/association with a protected veteran, or any other basis or characteristic protected by law. For more information: www.aus.com

    If you have any questions regarding Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Diversity and Inclusion, have difficulty using the online system and require an alternate method to apply, or require an accommodation at any time during the recruitment and/or employment process, please contact our local Human Resources department. To find an office near you, please visit: www.aus.com/offices.
  5. Post your job

    To find the right security/customer service for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with security/customer services they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit security/customer services who meet your education requirements.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your security/customer service job on Zippia to find and recruit security/customer service candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    To successfully recruit security/customer services, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new security/customer service

    Once you've decided on a perfect security/customer service candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

    It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    To prepare for the new security/customer service first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a security/customer service?

Before you start to hire security/customer services, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire security/customer services pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

You can expect to pay around $32,115 per year for a security/customer service, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for security/customer services in the US typically range between $11 and $19 an hour.

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