How To Become An Unarmed Security Officer: What It Is and Career Path

What is an unarmed security officer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

An unarmed security officer keeps their workplace, whether they work at a school or a store, safe from intruders or threats. While some security officers may carry guns or Tasers, especially if they are protecting a very sensitive facility, unarmed security officers cannot rely on weapons. They use their wits and other techniques to keep their colleagues safe. Unarmed security officers use technological tools such as alarm systems and CCTV cameras to monitor their workplace. They also rely on good old-fashioned security techniques like regular patrols and monitoring visitors to keep their workplace safe. Besides preventing crime, unarmed security officers keep their workplace safe by stepping in if there is an emergency of another kind, such as a medical emergency. They also greet visitors and direct them to their destinations.

Unarmed security officers don't need much in the way of formal education. Usually a high school diploma is enough, although some unarmed security officers do earn a bachelor's degree.

Many unarmed security officers start off as cashiers or sales associates before switching to security, although some have previous security experience. Unarmed security officers make an average salary of $29.845 a year.

ScoreUnarmed Security OfficerUS Average

Salary

2.5

Avg. Salary $31,496

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.6

Growth rate 3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

10.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.61%

Asian 5.81%

Black or African American 16.69%

Hispanic or Latino 16.46%

Unknown 5.35%

White 54.09%

Gender

female 34.95%

male 65.05%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

4.9

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

9.4

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an unarmed security officer

Explore unarmed security officer education requirements

Most common unarmed security officer degrees

High School Diploma

42.1 %

Bachelor's

20.8 %

Associate

20.4 %

Start to develop specific unarmed security officer skills

Skills	Percentages
Patrol	16.52%
Customer Service	15.12%
Unarmed Security	9.28%
Emergency Situations	6.02%
Law Enforcement	5.42%

Complete relevant unarmed security officer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New unarmed security officers 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 an unarmed security officer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real unarmed security officer resumes.

Obtain the necessary licensing

Becoming an licensed unarmed security officer usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you don't need to pass an exam to become a licensed unarmed security officer in most of states. 30 states require unarmed security officers 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 unarmed security officer duties and responsibilities

Maintain a fully stock first aid, CPR and a pack.
Check ids and contract of all rental cars going out of budget rental car.
protect client and client assets, observe and report, CPR train, first aid train ,
Patrol hospital and grounds to ensure a safe and secure environment for associates, patients and their families and visitors.

Prepare your unarmed security officer resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your unarmed security officer 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 an unarmed security officer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable unarmed security officer resume templates

Build a professional unarmed security officer 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 unarmed security officer resume.

Apply for unarmed security officer jobs

Now it's time to start searching for an unarmed security officer 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 do unarmed security officers rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Unarmed security officer reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2022

Cons

The pay is not worth what you have to do sometimes

Pros

Meeting a lot of different people have helped people in this job

A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2021

Pros

Protecting people and the property where I’m sign at.

Cons

There’s nothing about the officer that I don’t like

A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020

Pros

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.

Cons

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.

What is an unarmed security officer and how to become one

Unarmed security officer career paths

Key steps to become an unarmed security officer

Explore unarmed security officer education requirements

Most common unarmed security officer degrees

Start to develop specific unarmed security officer skills

Complete relevant unarmed security officer training and internships

Obtain the necessary licensing

Research unarmed security officer duties and responsibilities

Prepare your unarmed security officer resume

Choose from 10+ customizable unarmed security officer resume templates

Apply for unarmed security officer jobs

How did you land your first unarmed security officer job

Average unarmed security officer salary

How do unarmed security officers rate their job?

Unarmed security officer reviews

Unarmed security officer jobs by state