There are currently an estimated 1,123,300 security guards in the United States. The security guard job market is expected to grow by 6.3% between 2016 and 2026.
How employable are security guards?
CareerExplorer rates security guards with a C employability rating, meaning this career should provide moderate employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 77,700 security guards. That number is based on 70,600 additional security guards, and the retirement of 7,100 existing security guards.
What’s the supply of security guards?
The security guard industry is concentrated in California, New York, Texas
Security Guard job market by state
| State Name | Employed Security Guards |
|---|---|
| California | 151,110 |
| New York | 119,130 |
| Texas | 88,100 |
| Florida | 84,840 |
| Illinois | 45,730 |
| Pennsylvania | 42,700 |
| New Jersey | 39,160 |
| Ohio | 33,580 |
| Virginia | 30,570 |
| Georgia | 30,220 |
| Maryland | 26,230 |
| Michigan | 25,780 |
| Puerto Rico | 25,110 |
| North Carolina | 24,860 |
| Tennessee | 23,380 |
| Arizona | 22,740 |
| Massachusetts | 21,580 |
| Nevada | 21,000 |
| Washington | 19,760 |
| Indiana | 17,530 |
| Missouri | 17,140 |
| Louisiana | 16,720 |
| Colorado | 15,330 |
| South Carolina | 15,220 |
| District of Columbia | 13,900 |
| Alabama | 13,150 |
| Minnesota | 11,440 |
| Connecticut | 11,380 |
| Wisconsin | 11,220 |
| Kentucky | 11,200 |
| Oklahoma | 10,750 |
| Mississippi | 10,070 |
| Hawaii | 9,100 |
| Oregon | 8,630 |
| New Mexico | 6,640 |
| Kansas | 6,460 |
| Arkansas | 6,370 |
| Iowa | 6,010 |
| Utah | 5,890 |
| West Virginia | 4,790 |
| Nebraska | 4,490 |
| Delaware | 3,280 |
| Rhode Island | 3,040 |
| Idaho | 2,730 |
| New Hampshire | 2,660 |
| Alaska | 2,000 |
| Maine | 1,860 |
| Montana | 1,490 |
| North Dakota | 1,410 |
| Virgin Islands, U.S. | 1,150 |
| South Dakota | 1,140 |
| Vermont | 1,100 |
| Guam | 930 |
| Wyoming | 840 |