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Security forces vs security guard

The differences between security forces and security guards can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a security forces has an average salary of $37,155, which is higher than the $31,983 average annual salary of a security guard.

The top three skills for a security forces include patrol, law enforcement and public safety. The most important skills for a security guard are customer service, patrol, and ladders.

Security forces vs security guard overview

Security ForcesSecurity Guard
Yearly salary$37,155$31,983
Hourly rate$17.86$15.38
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs84,298101,728
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 37%High School Diploma, 42%
Average age4343
Years of experience--

Security forces vs security guard salary

Security forces and security guards have different pay scales, as shown below.

Security ForcesSecurity Guard
Average salary$37,155$31,983
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $46,000Between $25,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City-Lakewood, WA
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-Basin Electric Power Cooperative
Best paying industry-Utilities

Differences between security forces and security guard education

There are a few differences between a security forces and a security guard in terms of educational background:

Security ForcesSecurity Guard
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 37%High School Diploma, 42%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common college--

Security forces vs security guard demographics

Here are the differences between security forces' and security guards' demographics:

Security ForcesSecurity Guard
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 76.8% Female, 23.2%Male, 72.0% Female, 28.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.9% Asian, 5.7% White, 57.6% 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 Percentage6%6%

Differences between security forces and security guard duties and responsibilities

Security forces example responsibilities.

  • Apply first aid, life saving procedures, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation, as first responder to accident and disaster scenes.
  • Train on performing lifesaving procedures including cardiopulmonary resuscitation in disaster scenes.
  • Ensure combat capability through the functions of installation security for nuclear and conventional weapon systems.
  • Instruct first aid and CPR classes.
  • Certify in use of M249, M9, M4, M203.
  • Enforce security measures while safeguarding USAF air craft and personal.
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Security guard example responsibilities.

  • Assist employees with any and all concerns regarding payroll issues, insurance and requesting time off.
  • Certify in fire safety, adult/child CPR with mask and choking, adult/child a, infant CPR w/ mask and choking.
  • Distribute payroll checks to security officers.
  • Administer CPR and transport injured personnel to local medical facilities.
  • Monitor CCTV and other various intrusion detection security equipment for security issues.
  • Provide relief to other security officers while maintaining punctuality and building moral support.
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Security forces vs security guard skills

Common security forces skills
  • Patrol, 20%
  • Law Enforcement, 14%
  • Public Safety, 11%
  • Emergency Situations, 6%
  • Combat, 5%
  • Crime Scenes, 4%
Common security guard skills
  • Customer Service, 25%
  • Patrol, 17%
  • Ladders, 16%
  • Security Services, 6%
  • Emergency Situations, 4%
  • CPR, 3%

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