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The security guard industry is one of the largest employment sectors in protective services, with nearly 1.3 million guards working across the United States. This comprehensive guide covers the latest employment figures, salary data, industry breakdown, workforce demographics, and market trends shaping the security guard profession in 2026.
The security guard profession is one of the largest occupational categories in the United States. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025):
To put this number in perspective, there are more security guards in America than there are registered nurses in any single state, more than all the firefighters in the country, and roughly equivalent to the entire population of Dallas, Texas.
The BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2023) breaks down where these guards work. Sector-level detail lags the national headcount by two reporting cycles:
| Industry Sector | Guards Employed | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation & Security Services | 735,430 | 73.69% |
| General Merchandise Retail | 44,640 | 4.47% |
| Educational Services | Major employer | — |
| Hospitals & Healthcare | Major employer | — |
| Government | Major employer | — |
| Bars & Nightclubs | 18,200 | 4.42%* |
*Percentage of industry total per Belfry analysis of BLS data (2023). Sector figures reflect May 2023, the most recent industry-level breakout published by BLS.
The dominance of the investigation and security services sector — accounting for nearly three-quarters of all security guard employment — reflects the industry's heavy reliance on contract security providers. Companies like BSS that provide professional security guard services to businesses and institutions make up the backbone of this sector.
Compensation in the security guard industry varies significantly by location, experience, specialization, and employer type. Here are the national benchmarks from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025):
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Median annual wage (security guards) | $38,020 |
| Median hourly wage (security guards) | $18.28 |
| Mean annual wage (security guards) | $42,470 |
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,210 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,840 |
The spread between the 10th percentile ($30,210) and the 90th ($58,840) is the number worth paying attention to: top-decile guards earn nearly double what entry-level guards make. That gap is where specialized training, certifications, armed licensure, and supervisory experience show up. The median tells you what the average post pays; the 90th percentile tells you what the career can pay.
Security guard compensation must be understood in the context of the overall labor market. The mean annual wage of $42,470 sits well above the $38,020 median, which indicates a wage distribution pulled upward by a meaningful population of higher-earning specialized and metro-market positions rather than a flat pay scale.
Wages vary dramatically by market. Guards working in metropolitan areas — particularly in high-cost states like New York and California — command significantly higher pay, as detailed in the next section.
For security professionals working in the New York City and New Jersey metro area, wages reflect the higher cost of living and greater demand for skilled security personnel. New York is one of the highest-paying states in the country for security guards:
| Market | Median Annual Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| New York State | $44,240 | +16.4% |
| California | $43,240 | +13.7% |
| National median | $38,020 | — |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
A New York security guard earning the state median takes home roughly $6,200 more per year than the national median — and guards who obtain specialized certifications, work armed positions, or move into supervisory roles push toward and past the national 90th percentile of $58,840. BSS is committed to competitive compensation for our security professionals — learn more about career opportunities with our team.
"The security guard workforce in New York is unique. Our guards need to navigate everything from high-rise office buildings to construction sites to retail environments — often in the same week. That versatility commands a premium, and the best security companies invest in training and retention because they know that experienced, well-compensated guards deliver dramatically better outcomes for clients."
— Amanda DeAlmeida, Executive Vice President, Building Security Services
The U.S. security services industry is a multi-billion-dollar market that continues to grow. Here are the key market size figures from leading research firms:
| Market Segment | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. security services industry (2026) | $50.4 billion | IBISWorld |
| U.S. security guards & patrol services | $36.6 billion | Kentley Insights (2025) |
| Global security services (2025) | $101.3 billion | Fact.MR |
| Global manned guarding (2026) | $64.44 billion | The Business Research Company |
| U.S. security services businesses (2026) | 113,688 | IBISWorld |
The U.S. security services market reached $50.4 billion in 2026, growing 1.3% year over year, per IBISWorld. The number of security services businesses grew faster than revenue — up 3.5% to 113,688 firms — which points to a fragmenting, increasingly competitive market rather than a consolidating one.
Globally, the security services market is projected to grow from $101.3 billion in 2025 to $154.3 billion by 2035, a compound annual growth rate of 4.3% according to Fact.MR. Within the manned guarding segment specifically, the global market grew from $57.96 billion in 2025 to a projected $64.44 billion in 2026, per The Business Research Company.
Looking at the U.S. long term, according to Belfry's analysis of Robert H. Perry & Associates data, the U.S. industry reached $48 billion by 2017, peaked at $50.08 billion in 2018, and settled at approximately $47.8 billion by 2023 before recovering to today's $50.4 billion level.
One of the most significant structural trends in the security industry is the shift toward outsourced, contract security services. According to Statista data compiled by Belfry:
This trend reflects a fundamental shift in how businesses approach security. Rather than maintaining in-house security departments — with all the associated hiring, training, benefits, and management overhead — organizations increasingly partner with professional security companies that can provide trained, vetted, and managed personnel on demand.
The advantages of contract security include:
BSS provides contract security guard services across the NYC and New Jersey metro area, serving commercial properties, construction sites, retail locations, healthcare facilities, and events.
Security guards work across virtually every sector of the economy. The BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2023) data shows the concentration of employment:
The diversity of industries employing security guards reflects the universal need for physical security across the economy. Every sector faces unique threats — from organized retail crime to workplace violence in healthcare to theft at construction sites — and each requires guards with specialized training and knowledge.
Certain sectors face particularly acute security challenges that drive demand for professional security personnel:
The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects the following for security guards through 2035:
These numbers may seem contradictory at first glance: how can an industry growing at 1% still generate more than 157,000 openings every year? The answer lies in the industry's defining challenge — turnover.
The security guard industry is characterized by extremely high turnover rates. Guards leave their positions for higher-paying jobs, more desirable schedules, career advancement into law enforcement or other fields, or because of the demanding nature of the work (long hours, overnight shifts, high-stress environments).
At 157,200 annual openings against a workforce of 1,283,470, the industry cycles through the equivalent of its entire headcount roughly every eight years. That churn creates a constant need for recruitment, hiring, and training — which is precisely why working with a professional security provider matters. Companies like BSS invest heavily in guard retention programs, competitive pay, ongoing training, and clear advancement pathways to reduce turnover and deliver consistent, reliable security staffing to clients.
The near-flat growth projection partially reflects the increasing role of technology in security. Autonomous surveillance systems, AI-powered monitoring, and robotic security patrols are supplementing — though not yet replacing — human security guards. For the foreseeable future, the industry consensus is that technology enhances rather than replaces human security professionals, especially for roles requiring judgment, de-escalation, customer interaction, and physical response capabilities.
According to industry analysis from Belfry (2025) and multiple market research firms, the primary growth drivers for the security guard industry include:
The Cognitive Market Research (2025) projects the global security guard market to grow at a CAGR of 8.10% from 2023 to 2030, reflecting robust global demand.
The security guard industry faces a distinctive set of workforce challenges that shape how the best companies operate:
With 157,200 annual openings against just 1% projected net growth, the industry is essentially replacing its entire workforce every eight years. This creates intense competition for quality candidates. The most successful security companies differentiate themselves through:
Security guards themselves face significant occupational hazards. According to the BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (2024), there were 470 workplace homicides across U.S. industries in 2024 — up 2.6% from 458 the prior year, even as total fatal work injuries fell to 5,070. Of those homicides, 379 involved firearms. This sobering statistic underscores the importance of proper training, equipment, protocols, and employer support for security professionals.
"Our guards are not just employees — they're professionals who put themselves on the line every day. We owe them proper training, fair compensation, reliable equipment, and a company culture that prioritizes their safety. When you take care of your people, they take care of your clients. That's what separates a professional security operation from a staffing agency with uniforms."
— Amanda DeAlmeida, Executive Vice President, Building Security Services
New York City's security guard workforce has its own unique characteristics. A UC Berkeley Labor Center study (2025) examined the demographic and job characteristics of NYC's security guard workforce, highlighting the diversity and complexity of this essential labor force.
Guards in the New York market earn well above the national benchmark — a state median of $44,240 against the national median of $38,020 — though this varies significantly by assignment type, experience level, and whether the position is armed or unarmed. Top earners nationally reach $58,840 and above, and in the NYC metro that ceiling is higher still.
There are 1,283,470 security guards employed in the United States as of May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That makes security guarding one of the 30 largest occupations in the country by total employment.
The median annual wage for security guards is $38,020, or $18.28 per hour, as of May 2025. The mean annual wage is higher at $42,470, reflecting a pay distribution pulled upward by specialized and metro-market positions. Entry-level guards at the 10th percentile earn $30,210, while the top 10% earn $58,840 or more.
Security guards in New York State earn a median of $44,240 per year — roughly 16% above the national median of $38,020, and about $6,200 more annually. New York is among the highest-paying states in the country for security guards, ahead of California at $43,240. Guards with armed licensure, specialized certifications, or supervisory responsibility earn well above the state median.
Employment of security guards is projected to grow 1% between 2025 and 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. However, slow net growth does not mean limited opportunity — the field generates about 157,200 openings per year, nearly all of them from turnover rather than expansion.
Turnover. With 157,200 annual openings against a workforce of 1,283,470, the industry cycles through the equivalent of its entire headcount roughly every eight years. Guards leave for higher-paying work, better schedules, or advancement into law enforcement. This is why retention — competitive pay, training, and clear advancement paths — separates professional security providers from staffing agencies.
The U.S. security services market reached $50.4 billion in 2026, growing 1.3% year over year, according to IBISWorld. The market includes 113,688 businesses, a figure that grew 3.5% — faster than revenue — indicating a fragmenting, increasingly competitive market rather than a consolidating one.
Nationally, security guards at the 90th percentile earn $58,840 or more — close to double the $30,210 earned at the 10th percentile. The gap reflects armed licensure, specialized certifications, supervisory roles, and high-cost metro markets. In markets like New York City, the practical ceiling runs higher still.
Building Security Services provides trained, professional security guards for commercial properties, retail locations, construction sites, healthcare facilities, schools, and events across the New York and New Jersey metro area.
Whether you need a single guard or a full security team, BSS delivers reliable, professional service backed by decades of experience.
Request a Free Quote →All statistics cited on this page are drawn from verified, authoritative sources including federal agencies, market research firms, and recognized industry publications. We prioritize primary data sources and note the publication year for each data point. Key sources include:
Methodology note: This page compiles statistics from multiple authoritative sources to provide a comprehensive overview of security guard employment and industry economics. Wage and employment figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, which publishes national and state estimates annually each spring for the prior May reference period. Industry-level employment detail lags the national headcount by two reporting cycles and is labeled accordingly. Market size figures from different research firms may use varying definitions and methodologies, which accounts for some discrepancies between estimates. All data is presented with source attribution and reference period for transparency.
This page is maintained by Building Security Services (BSS) and is updated periodically as new data becomes available. For questions about our security services or to discuss your security needs, please contact us.
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