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Security Officer Vs Unarmed Security Guard

The differences between security officers and unarmed security guards can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an unarmed security guard has an average salary of $32,946, which is higher than the $31,101 average annual salary of a security officer.

The top three skills for a security officer include customer service, ladders and patrol. The most important skills for an unarmed security guard are unarmed security, patrol, and law enforcement.

Security officer vs unarmed security guard overview

Security OfficerUnarmed Security Guard
Yearly Salary$31,101$32,946
Hourly rate$14.95$15.84
Growth Rate3%3%
Number Of Jobs125,87999,613
Job Satisfaction4.5-
Most Common DegreeHigh School Diploma, 36%High School Diploma, 44%
Average Age4343
Years Of Experience--

What does a Security Officer do?

A security officer is responsible for maintaining the peace and safety of everyone by regularly patrolling and monitoring surveillance equipment within the assigned premises. Security officers' duties also include reporting suspicious behaviors, restricting trespassers and unauthorized personnel from entering the establishment, providing incident reports for policy violations, and adhering to the standard protocols and legal requirements set by the management. Security offers must also have excellent decision-making and critical-thinking skills and extensive knowledge of emergency drills in case any unfortunate circumstances arise.

What does an unarmed security guard do?

The primary responsibility of an unarmed security guard is to monitor and protect properties against damage or criminal attack. They must be alert, patrol the premises, and respond to emergencies. They also monitor alarm systems and video surveillance cameras. In cases of security breaches, they are expected to bring in law enforcement agents.

Security officer vs unarmed security guard salary

Security officers and unarmed security guards have different pay scales, as shown below.

Security OfficerUnarmed Security Guard
Average Salary$31,101$32,946
Salary RangeBetween $24,000 And $39,000Between $23,000 And $45,000
Highest Paying CitySeattle, WASan Francisco, CA
Highest Paying StateWashingtonAlaska
Best Paying CompanyBattelleInter-Con Security Systems
Best Paying IndustryUtilitiesUtilities

Differences between security officer and unarmed security guard education

There are a few differences between a security officer and an unarmed security guard in terms of educational background:

Security OfficerUnarmed Security Guard
Most Common DegreeHigh School Diploma, 36%High School Diploma, 44%
Most Common MajorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most Common College--

Security officer vs unarmed security guard demographics

Here are the differences between security officers' and unarmed security guards' demographics:

Security OfficerUnarmed Security Guard
Average Age4343
Gender RatioMale, 71.6% Female, 28.4%Male, 65.9% Female, 34.1%
Race RatioBlack or African American, 12.7% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 6.3% White, 54.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%Black or African American, 15.2% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 5.7% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between security officer and unarmed security guard duties and responsibilities

Security Officer Example Responsibilities.

  • General foot patrol of interior and exterior strip corridor casino property areas.
  • Distribute id photo badges to employees and contractors.
  • Escort performers or highly known stars to their suites.
  • Employ as an unarm Virginia DCJS license security officer.
  • Inspect all vehicles that are requesting access into AOA.
  • Make DAR reports with clear reading and writing in English.
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Unarmed Security Guard Example Responsibilities.

  • Train and certify in CPR and in properly using an a
  • Experience in route management, ATM replenishment, and vault inventory, processing currency deposits (large amounts).
  • Replenish ATM's, remove paper jams - money jams, make sure that assign ATM locations are working properly.
  • Conduct daily activity reports; monitor the CCTV system; sign visitors in/out; conduct daily rounds (perimeter check).
  • Monitor CCTV cameras for suspicious activity.
  • Patrol premises regularly and complete accompanying reports of findings or unusual activities.
  • Show More

Security officer vs unarmed security guard skills

Common Security Officer Skills
  • Customer Service, 25%
  • Ladders, 17%
  • Patrol, 14%
  • Security Services, 6%
  • Patients, 5%
  • Emergency Situations, 4%
Common Unarmed Security Guard Skills
  • Unarmed Security, 28%
  • Patrol, 21%
  • Law Enforcement, 16%
  • Medical Emergencies, 6%
  • Unarmed Guard, 6%
  • Security Services, 3%

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