As of present, the average security guard in the US earns around $40,000 per annum ($3000+ per month). But the range is as wide as $20,000 – $80,000. Are you interesting in becoming a security guard? Or you intend to hire Bodyguards?

Do you want to know how much security guards make? Do you want to know if being a bodyguard or security guard is worth the risk and stress?

Because of the global increase in security challenges, individuals and companies have become aware of the potential risks of leaving a valuable facility unguarded. This has led to an increased demand for security guards, thus making the private security industry one of the fastest growing in recent times.

Whether you have been nursing the ambition to work as a private security guard or you are planning to hire one soon for yourself, your home, or your business; you need to know how much security guards are paid. This will help you make a well-informed decision to proceed with your plan or to retreat. So in this post, we will be discussing how much security guards earn monthly or annually.

So, if you are planning to take up a security guard job, you will soon get to know how financially rewarding the job is. And if you are an employer planning to hire a private security guard for personal or home security, this post will let you know if you are financially capable.

Factors That Determine the Income of Security Guards

1. Experience

The number of years for which you have worked as a security guard can make a huge difference in your salary. For a newly certified security guard with no previous work experience, the hourly wage could be as meager as $12 per hour, adding up to only around $20,000 per annum (you can get double or triple by working for extra hours).

But as you gain experience over the years, you become entitled to increased pay. Also, security guards with military training experience earn more pay than those without military training. This is because those with military experience are much better at handling crises.

2. Location

How much you will earn working as a security guard also depends on your state and country of employment. For instance, a security guard employed in the United States, or Canada can never earn the same salary as a security guard in third world countries, etc.

There are marked differences in the salary scale for security guards; even in states within the US (states have varying minimum wage specifications). So, the varying pay for security guards in different countries should not be surprising.

3. Industry and employer

The hourly wage for security guards may also vary with industry. For example, security guards hired by banks are likely going to be paid more than those hired to work in a school.

The type of employer also plays a role in how much a security guard earns. Most of the time large organizations pay more than smaller organizations, just like high profile individuals (celebrities, political office holders, corporate executives, etc.) pay more than low-key individuals do.

4. Nature of work and risks involved

A security guard hired to watch over and protect a banking premises or a museum would most probably earn more than one hired to man a school’s entrance. This is because watching over a bank or the tons of valuable antiques in a museum could be riskier and more demanding than sitting by a school’s entrance to watch out for intruders.

Most of the time, positions that require security guards to be fully armed at all times pay much more than those with little or no risks; so if you have been trained on how to use firearms, you’re at a huge advantage.

5. Skills

Though the basic job of a security guard is to watch out for potential dangers to life and property, some positions may require much more. Such positions, which require security guards to have extra skills (such as driving, computer skills, writing skills, knowledge of emergency procedures, etc) tend to pay higher rates than positions requiring no more than the basic skills.

With all of the above in mind, let’s now look at the figures.

As of present, the average security guard in the US earns around $40,000 per annum ($3000+ per month). But the range is as wide as $20,000 – $80,000. Keep in mind that some individuals (or even organizations) could offer rates that fall well below this range, just like some others may offer rates that are far more than $80,000.

So, that’s it! If you think working as a security guard would only mean that you will be working your butts off for peanuts, you have just got enough information to help you decide wisely. And if you are looking at hiring a security guard, you now know what fraction of your monthly or annual budget to earmark as wages.