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The differences between security guards and facility security officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a facility security officer has an average salary of $38,701, which is higher than the $31,983 average annual salary of a security guard.
The top three skills for a security guard include customer service, patrol and ladders. The most important skills for a facility security officer are security program, JPAS, and patrol.
| Security Guard | Facility Security Officer | |
| Yearly salary | $31,983 | $38,701 |
| Hourly rate | $15.38 | $18.61 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 101,728 | 124,890 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
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.
Facility security officers supervise daily security activities, enforce control, and ensure company security policies are strictly followed. They are responsible for creating a secure working environment for employees, vendors, and company visitors. They manage and monitor daily activities concerning entry and exit, video security, and other devices related to security. They also manage employee access to restricted and protected areas, review closed-circuit recordings, coordinate with management on certain security protocols and legal requirements.
Security guards and facility security officers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Security Guard | Facility Security Officer | |
| Average salary | $31,983 | $38,701 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $40,000 | Between $28,000 And $52,000 |
| Highest paying City | Lakewood, WA | Anchorage, AK |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Basin Electric Power Cooperative | SMTC |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Technology |
There are a few differences between a security guard and a facility security officer in terms of educational background:
| Security Guard | Facility Security Officer | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between security guards' and facility security officers' demographics:
| Security Guard | Facility Security Officer | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.0% Female, 28.0% | Male, 53.4% Female, 46.6% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 16.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 5.7% White, 55.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |