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The differences between unarmed security guards and officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an officer has an average salary of $52,506, which is higher than the $32,946 average annual salary of an unarmed security guard.
The top three skills for an unarmed security guard include unarmed security, patrol and law enforcement. The most important skills for an officer are patrol, customer service, and public safety.
| Unarmed Security Guard | Officer | |
| Yearly salary | $32,946 | $52,506 |
| Hourly rate | $15.84 | $25.24 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 99,613 | 114,267 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
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.
An officer is responsible for managing the daily operations of the assigned area, ensuring its peace and security by monitoring and reporting unusual and suspicious activities. Officers are the ones enforcing strict safety protocols and procedures to maintain the order within the premises. They also coordinate with law enforcement agencies in conducting appropriate investigations for any violating cases. An officer must be highly-knowledgeable of the law policies, as well as possessing excellent leadership skills to manage the members under the officer's patrol.
Unarmed security guards and officers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Unarmed Security Guard | Officer | |
| Average salary | $32,946 | $52,506 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $45,000 | Between $26,000 And $103,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | New York |
| Best paying company | Inter-Con Security Systems | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | - |
There are a few differences between an unarmed security guard and an officer in terms of educational background:
| Unarmed Security Guard | Officer | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between unarmed security guards' and officers' demographics:
| Unarmed Security Guard | Officer | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 65.9% Female, 34.1% | Male, 63.9% Female, 36.1% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 15.2% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.6% White, 51.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |