Security forces vs unarmed security guard

The differences between security forces and unarmed 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 $32,946 average annual salary of an unarmed security guard.

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

Security forces vs unarmed security guard overview

	Security Forces	Unarmed Security Guard
Yearly salary	$37,155	$32,946
Hourly rate	$17.86	$15.84
Growth rate	3%	3%
Number of jobs	84,298	99,613
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 37%	High School Diploma, 44%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	-	-

Security forces vs unarmed security guard salary

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

	Security Forces	Unarmed Security Guard
Average salary	$37,155	$32,946
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $46,000	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 security forces and unarmed security guard education

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

	Security Forces	Unarmed Security Guard
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 37%	High School Diploma, 44%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	-

Security forces vs unarmed security guard demographics

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

	Security Forces	Unarmed Security Guard
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 76.8% Female, 23.2%	Male, 65.9% Female, 34.1%
Race ratio	Black 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, 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 security forces and unarmed 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.

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.

Security forces vs unarmed security guard skills

Common security forces skills

Patrol, 20%
Law Enforcement, 14%
Public Safety, 11%
Emergency Situations, 6%
Combat, 5%
Crime Scenes, 4%

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
Security Forces
Security Forces vs Unarmed Security Guard

Updated January 8, 2025

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