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The differences between unarmed security guards and security patrol officers 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 $31,673 average annual salary of a security patrol officer.
The top three skills for an unarmed security guard include unarmed security, patrol and law enforcement. The most important skills for a security patrol officer are patrol, customer service, and security services.
| Unarmed Security Guard | Security Patrol Officer | |
| Yearly salary | $32,946 | $31,673 |
| Hourly rate | $15.84 | $15.23 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 99,613 | 131,574 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | High School Diploma, 37% |
| 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.
A Security Patrol Officer ensures the safety and security of the establishment under guard. The security officer ensures that all facility areas are secured, does regular patrols, routine inspections, and monitors the premises, and logs in daily reports for management to assess. The Security Patrol Officer's role is vital for the continued performance of an establishment as it prevents crime, stealing, and other heinous acts that may severely affect a company's operations.
Unarmed security guards and security patrol officers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Unarmed Security Guard | Security Patrol Officer | |
| Average salary | $32,946 | $31,673 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $45,000 | Between $25,000 And $39,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Washington |
| Best paying company | Inter-Con Security Systems | University of California, Berkeley |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Utilities |
There are a few differences between an unarmed security guard and a security patrol officer in terms of educational background:
| Unarmed Security Guard | Security Patrol Officer | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | High School Diploma, 37% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between unarmed security guards' and security patrol officers' demographics:
| Unarmed Security Guard | Security Patrol Officer | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 65.9% Female, 34.1% | Male, 80.6% Female, 19.4% |
| 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, 11.5% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 23.6% Asian, 5.3% White, 52.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |