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The differences between security guards and security patrol officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a security guard has an average salary of $31,983, which is higher than the $31,673 average annual salary of a security patrol officer.
The top three skills for a security guard include customer service, patrol and ladders. The most important skills for a security patrol officer are patrol, customer service, and security services.
| Security Guard | Security Patrol Officer | |
| Yearly salary | $31,983 | $31,673 |
| Hourly rate | $15.38 | $15.23 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 101,728 | 131,574 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | High School Diploma, 37% |
| 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.
A Security Patrol Officer ensures the safety and security of the establishment under guard. The security officer ensures that all facility areas are secured, does regular patrols, routine inspections, and monitors the premises, and logs in daily reports for management to assess. The Security Patrol Officer's role is vital for the continued performance of an establishment as it prevents crime, stealing, and other heinous acts that may severely affect a company's operations.
Security guards and security patrol officers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Security Guard | Security Patrol Officer | |
| Average salary | $31,983 | $31,673 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $40,000 | Between $25,000 And $39,000 |
| Highest paying City | Lakewood, WA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Washington |
| Best paying company | Basin Electric Power Cooperative | University of California, Berkeley |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Utilities |
There are a few differences between a security guard and a security patrol officer in terms of educational background:
| Security Guard | Security Patrol Officer | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | High School Diploma, 37% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between security guards' and security patrol officers' demographics:
| Security Guard | Security Patrol Officer | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.0% Female, 28.0% | Male, 80.6% Female, 19.4% |
| 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, 11.5% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 23.6% Asian, 5.3% White, 52.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |