What Are the Highest Paid Security Jobs in The U.S.?

by | Nov 8, 2021 | Security Guard

Security jobs are essential for keeping people, communities and property safe, and never has there been more of a need for highly trained security personnel, than today.

If you’re interested in pursuing a job within the security sector, you can browse the different ranks below, and find out which ones pay the most:

Security guard

An entry level position, security guards are not licensed to carry weapons, and as such, the level of training and pay, required is lower than other security roles.

Unarmed security officer

Requiring 80 hours of training and/or a college degree, unarmed security officers can carry weapons of self-defense, but not firearms. They are typically paid more than regular security guards.

Armed security officer

Typically paid more than an unarmed security guard, while they do have similar roles, armed officers are trained in the use of firearms and other weapons of self-defense. This means that the role comes with a higher training requirement.

Public safety officer

An entry level role, public safety officers have a greater number of responsibilities than a standard security guard, with a higher training requirement that includes a college degree and law enforcement training. This role is one of the highest paying below that of a senior security officer.

Senior security officer

With more experience in the security field, these officers are paid more and undergo more training, some of which enables them to assist in a range of emergency and security-related situations.

Sergeant

Sergeants have a supervisory role over lower ranking security personnel, and generally have more experience and training than a senior security officer. They are also qualified and able to manage and supervise others.

Corporal

With even more training and experience than senior security officers, corporals usually manage and train both supervisors and other security personnel.

Lieutenant

Receiving higher training and a higher salary than other security roles, lieutenants act as middlemen between higher command levels and lower ranking levels.

Captain or Director

Responsible for a location’s security personnel, captains or directors oversee every lower rank of supervisors, officers and security guards.

Major, lieutenant commander or deputy chief

While the title may vary, each role is classed as a higher-level management or director position, and those holding the position are responsible for managing and supervising a regional group of locations or a security department for a particular company.

Commander or chief

This role is held by the director of all security personnel within an organization, agency or company, and commanders or chiefs are typically responsible for managing and directing all lower ranks of security personnel, hence, they are the highest paid of all security roles.

As you can see, there are a variety of roles within the security industry to aspire to, and for anyone seeking to pursue such a career, basic armed guard training is as good a place to start as any. Begin by finding an accredited training facility in your area and enquire as to what courses they run, and which ones you might be eligible for, or interested in.

Debunking the Myths about the Job of a Security Guard

Debunking the Myths about the Job of a Security Guard

by | Sep 30, 2021 | Security Guard

The security guard is not an easy profession by any means. You have to be vigilant, responsive, and possess the ability to take decisions on the fly. But there are many myths about the job of a security guard that need to be debunked. These myths put doubts in the mind of any individual who wants to pursue the career of a security guard, and end the possibility of a reliable job position before one can even start. We are listing out a few popular myths that are completely false.

Myth: Security Guards are Lackluster

There is a persistent notion about security guards being relaxed out-of-shape guys that have nothing better to do than squat on a chair. On the contrary, most security profiles required a reliable background search as a service in army or police. Any individual belonging to these areas of service, possesses a proactive mindset and a fit physique to protect the client as well as the people around them. Security guards are the very first layer of protection against any devious attempt like robbery, theft, violence, etc.

Myth: Security Guards are Rude

The first lesson of security guard training stresses on how to converse with people while being deployed on a security detail. The security guards are well versed with the techniques to calm down the citizens in case of a unrest or a troublesome situation such as natural disaster or robbery attempts. Their job is to be amicable to the staff and consumers/ general public, and project themselves as a trustable authority who can guide them to desired locations, and help them solve basic problems.

Myth: Security guards need to be buff

One common misconception is that security guards need to be huge, which is because of the depiction of security guards as humans with huge muscle mass in movies and TV shows. In the security industry, fitness has different parameters rather than just gaining size, and a security guard needs to be agile, lean, and has the ability to make quick decisions. Big and burly security professionals also exist but their role is more suitable for nightclubs, heavily guarded areas, backup protection, etc.

Myth: Security Guards Don’t Need Training

To work anywhere as a security professional, you need to have a security guard card. Obtaining a security guard card allows you to mandatorily attend 32 hours of training, to know about the basics of being a security guard. The state prohibits hiring any individual for security profile without having a proper license and training for protection. Therefore, the notion that anyone can be a security guard without any prior training is completely false.

The profession of a security guard is responsibility that not everyone can overtake. It is not a piece of cake to complete advanced security guard training and get a respectable position in the security industry. Like any other job, security industry demands proficiency in communication and skills along with the ability to tackle unforeseen circumstances.