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The differences between security guards and unarmed security 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 $31,496 average annual salary of an unarmed security officer.
The top three skills for a security guard include customer service, patrol and ladders. The most important skills for an unarmed security officer are patrol, customer service, and unarmed security.
| Security Guard | Unarmed Security Officer | |
| Yearly salary | $31,983 | $31,496 |
| Hourly rate | $15.38 | $15.14 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 101,728 | 121,723 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| 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.
An unarmed security officer is primarily responsible for securing an establishment and maintaining the safety of people within the premises. They are typically in charge of conducting patrols, monitoring surveillance cameras and alarm systems, responding to distress reports, keeping an eye on suspicious activities and behaviors, and coordinating with the law enforcement should there be any emergencies. An unarmed security officer may also assist clients and respond to inquiries, all while maintaining a safe and worry-free environment for everyone.
Security guards and unarmed security officers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Security Guard | Unarmed Security Officer | |
| Average salary | $31,983 | $31,496 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $40,000 | Between $24,000 And $41,000 |
| Highest paying City | Lakewood, WA | Eagan, MN |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Basin Electric Power Cooperative | Inter-Con Security Systems |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Utilities |
There are a few differences between a security guard and an unarmed security officer in terms of educational background:
| Security Guard | Unarmed Security Officer | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between security guards' and unarmed security officers' demographics:
| Security Guard | Unarmed Security Officer | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.0% Female, 28.0% | Male, 65.0% Female, 35.0% |
| 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, 16.7% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 5.8% White, 54.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |