Security Guards

Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security In demand
Guard, patrol, or monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules. May operate x-ray and metal detector equipment.

What a security guard does

Become a security guard

If you enjoy doing these activities, you might make a good security guard

  • Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
  • Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
  • Changing what is done based on other people's actions.
  • Understanding people's reactions.

Discover what you could earn in Washington

  • Average hourly rate is $21 per hour with an average salary of $43,800 per year.
  • Half of workers earn between $18 and $22 per hour.
  • Half of workers earn an annual salary between $36,500 and $45,500 per year.

Security Guard job outlook

  • There are 22,535 workers in this occupation in Washington.
  • There are 4,835 openings per year in this occupation in Washington.

Growth rate by year

Education needed

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Programs to get you there

See all programs