Security forces member vs security guard

The differences between security forces members and security guards can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a security forces member has an average salary of $35,789, which is higher than the $31,983 average annual salary of a security guard.

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

Security forces member vs security guard overview

	Security Forces Member	Security Guard
Yearly salary	$35,789	$31,983
Hourly rate	$17.21	$15.38
Growth rate	3%	3%
Number of jobs	83,714	101,728
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 41%	High School Diploma, 42%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	-	-

Security forces member vs security guard salary

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

	Security Forces Member	Security Guard
Average salary	$35,789	$31,983
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $44,000	Between $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 member and security guard education

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

	Security Forces Member	Security Guard
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 41%	High School Diploma, 42%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	-

Security forces member vs security guard demographics

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

	Security Forces Member	Security Guard
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 72.2% Female, 27.8%	Male, 72.0% Female, 28.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 5.5% White, 56.8% 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%

Differences between security forces member and security guard duties and responsibilities

Security forces member example responsibilities.

Equip and knowledgeable about self-aid care, lifesaving procedures, cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Obtain multiple weapons certifications to include the M16, M4, M203, M249, and M240B.
Provide security for the USAF.
Ensure the security of DoD and U.S.A.F.
Execute operation plans and orders to support security of DOD resources.
Provide first aid and CPR to victims and secure scenes being investigate.

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.

Security forces member vs security guard skills

Common security forces member skills

Patrol, 22%
Metal Detectors, 12%
Public Safety, 12%
Law Enforcement, 11%
Emergency Situations, 7%
Combat, 3%

Common security guard skills

Customer Service, 25%
Patrol, 17%
Ladders, 16%
Security Services, 6%
Emergency Situations, 4%
CPR, 3%

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Protective Service Industry
Security Forces Member
Security Forces Member vs Security Guard

Updated January 8, 2025

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