Hiring guide · Public Safety & Security
How to Hire a Security Guard
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring security guards, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $38,020), recruit through licensed security training schools, verify State guard card or security license where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for security guards
There are about 1,294,300 security guards employed in the U.S., with roughly 156,000 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +0.9% from 2025–35 (little or no change). Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, so a steady pipeline matters.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $30,210–$35,210 | $14.52–$16.93 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $38,020 | $18.28 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $46,200 | $22.21 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $58,840 | $28.29 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- High school diploma or equivalent (typical entry level)
- Licensing or certification required in your state
- Patrol techniques
- Observation
Nice-to-haves
- State guard card or security license
- Armed security license
- First aid, CPR and AED
- Experience with two-way radios
Where to find security guards
- Licensed security training schools
- Military and law-enforcement transition programs
- Community job fairs and workforce centers
- Referrals from current officers
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Security Officer, Patrol Officer (Private Security), Loss Prevention Officer, Site Security Officer
Screening checklist
- State security license or guard card verification
- Background checks according to state licensing rules
- Driving record if patrol vehicles are used
- A scenario-based interview on judgment and de-escalation
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Do you have a state security license?”
What a strong answer includes: Answer directly; if not, explain when you’ll complete it.
2. “How would you handle someone who refuses to leave?”
What a strong answer includes: Describe calm communication, following post orders and calling police.
3. “Tell me about a time you noticed something others missed.”
What a strong answer includes: Show observation skills.
4. “How do you stay alert on overnight shifts?”
What a strong answer includes: Mention patrol variety, breaks and healthy habits.
5. “What makes a good incident report?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain factual, detailed, timely documentation.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Write a Daily Activity Report (see the steps)
- Conduct an Effective Security Patrol (see the steps)
- Respond to a Trespasser (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Post orders, Patrol (tour), Daily activity report (DAR)
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Security Guard 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Security Guard training. Show them the path forward: Security Officer → Senior Officer or Shift Supervisor → Site or Account Manager → Corporate Security, Law Enforcement or Security Director.
Hiring security guards: FAQ
How much should I pay a security guard?
The U.S. median wage for security guards is $38,020 per year ($18.28/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($35,210), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($46,200). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a security guard have?
BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education. Look for State guard card or security license and Armed security license where relevant, plus skills such as patrol techniques, access control, and report writing.
How long does it take to train a new security guard?
Becoming qualified typically takes Days to 2 weeks. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “short-term on-the-job training.”