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The differences between security technicians and security guards can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a security technician has an average salary of $58,338, which is higher than the $31,983 average annual salary of a security guard.
The top three skills for a security technician include customer service, CCTV and control systems. The most important skills for a security guard are customer service, patrol, and ladders.
| Security Technician | Security Guard | |
| Yearly salary | $58,338 | $31,983 |
| Hourly rate | $28.05 | $15.38 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 92,807 | 101,728 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Average age | 44 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 12 | - |
The security technician's main job responsibility is to maintain and repair security-related concerns in a company. They identify and troubleshoot basic network related problems on hardware or software. They monitor alarm wiring and equipment and ensure work is under the safety standards. They also establish system access by issuing ID's, instructing the client on creation password and usage. They monitor access by looking-up ID status by validating owner identity. They also maintain security-related files by receiving, processing, and updating computer security forms.
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.
Security technicians and security guards have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Security Technician | Security Guard | |
| Average salary | $58,338 | $31,983 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $101,000 | Between $25,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Lakewood, WA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Basin Electric Power Cooperative |
| Best paying industry | - | Utilities |
There are a few differences between a security technician and a security guard in terms of educational background:
| Security Technician | Security Guard | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Most common major | Business | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between security technicians' and security guards' demographics:
| Security Technician | Security Guard | |
| Average age | 44 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.0% Female, 17.0% | Male, 72.0% Female, 28.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 4.3% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 6% |