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What is a security monitor and how to become one
A security monitor is an individual who acts as a security professional to reduce theft and damage to the inventory of a business or a retail store. These individuals secure a property by regular patrolling, monitoring, and surveillance, and they also inspect buildings, equipment, as well as access points. They prevent loss and damage by reporting incidents, informing trespassers of policy and procedure violations, and, if needed, restrain trespassers for law enforcement officers. The main goal of a security monitor is to ensure that a property is safe from fire, intrusion, or burglary.
An advanced degree is not necessarily needed to land a job as a security monitor, but most employers require a High School diploma or a GED. Many employers will also train their security staff in related security procedures. A security monitor should possess strong analytical and communication skills.
If you are looking for a career in security, a job as a security monitor can be both challenging and rewarding. A security monitor can make up to $30,000 a year, and the career field is expected to grow 4% in the next ten years.
Avg. Salary $29,899
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 3%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 1.59%
Asian 6.13%
Black or African American 13.07%
Hispanic or Latino 20.74%
Unknown 5.31%
White 53.17%
Genderfemale 40.73%
male 59.27%
Age - 43American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 43Stress level is very high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is intermediate
7 - challenging
Work life balance is excellent
6.4 - fair
Security monitor career paths
Key steps to become a security monitor
Explore security monitor education requirements
Start to develop specific security monitor skills
Skills Percentages Patrol 19.97% CPR 16.53% Cleanliness 7.59% Data Entry 7.12% Disciplinary Actions 6.57% Complete relevant security monitor training and internships
Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New security monitors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a security monitor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real security monitor resumes.Obtain the necessary licensing
Becoming a licensed security monitor usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you don't need to pass an exam to become a licensed security monitor in most of states. 30 states require security monitors to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.State Education Exam License url Alabama - - Licensed Personal Security Officer Maryland - - GUARDS Alaska Specific course required - Security Guard Arkansas Specific course required State exam required Private Security Officer (PSO) California Specific course required State exam required Security Guard Registration Research security monitor duties and responsibilities
- Check operating equipment to ensure proper use and cleanliness.
- Monitor and maintain 300 plus CCTV cameras for on and off campus locations.
- Provide technical support to lower level JPAS users with account lockouts, creations, modifications, and password resets.
- Monitor personnel security to ensure investigations are up to date, maintain visit request both paper and electronic using JPAS.
Prepare your security monitor resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your security monitor resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a security monitor resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable security monitor resume templates
Build a professional security monitor resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your security monitor resume.
Apply for security monitor jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a security monitor job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first security monitor job
Are you a security monitor?
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Average security monitor salary
The average security monitor salary in the United States is $29,899 per year or $14 per hour. Security monitor salaries range between $22,000 and $38,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do security monitors rate their job?
Security monitor reviews
Meeting a lot of different people have helped people in this job
The pay is not worth what you have to do sometimes
Protecting people and the property where I’m sign at.
There’s nothing about the officer that I don’t like
Yes because is a job that deal with helping people that your help and there's a wonderful happiness while working properly and helping people at the sometime.
One sometimes people will not like you but they need a help from you but to me a don't call it anything now because I know the status of the job even in a building I have work in that area as a security guard department with my license from United Arab Emirates.
Updated January 8, 2025
