Career comparison
Correctional Officer vs. Security Guard
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Correctional officers earn more at the median ($58,940 vs. $38,020), while security guards usually get to work faster (Days to 2 weeks of training). Correctional officers keep order and safety inside jails and prisons. Security guards protect people and property by observing, patrolling, controlling access and reporting.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Correctional Officer | Security Guard | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $58,940 ($28.34/hr) | $38,020 ($18.28/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $42,760 – $93,220 | $30,210 – $58,840 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -7.4% (a projected decline) | +0.9% (little or no change) |
| Openings per year | 28,400 | 156,000 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 2–4 months (academy) | Days to 2 weeks |
| Key credential | State corrections officer certification | State guard card or security license |
| Work setting | Officers work inside secure facilities that can be noisy, crowded and tense, with the risk of assault. | Security guards work indoors and outdoors at many kinds of sites, sometimes alone. |
What each job does
Correctional Officer
- Supervise people in housing units
- Conduct counts and security checks
- Search people, cells and areas for contraband
- Escort people within and outside the facility
- Respond to fights, disturbances and emergencies
Security Guard
- Patrol buildings and grounds on foot or in vehicles
- Control access and check credentials
- Monitor CCTV cameras and alarm systems
- Respond to alarms, disturbances and emergencies
- Enforce site rules and post orders
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working with people, shift work, and indoor work. Both are part of the public safety & security field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose correctional officer if…
- I can stay calm in tense situations
- I can be firm and fair
- I want public service work with good benefits
Choose security guard if…
- I’m observant and notice when something is off
- I stay calm in tense situations
- I’m reliable and punctual
Still torn? Take the Correctional Officer fit quiz and the Security Guard fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, correctional officer or security guard?
Correctional Officers earn more at the median: $58,940 versus $38,020 for security guards, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Security Guards typically train faster (Days to 2 weeks) than correctional officers (2–4 months (academy)).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects security guards to grow +0.9% from 2025–35, compared with -7.4% for correctional officers.