What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Security Guards in the U.S. earn more than $38,020 a year — the middle 80% land between $30,210 and $58,840. About 1.3 million people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Security Guards”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Service and sales workers earn about ₹15,575 a month on average — around ₹1.9 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$38,020typical pay / year
1.3 millionpeople in this work
$58,840+top 10% earn
₹1.9 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Keeping the record3
Watch alarm and video recording systems
+Monitor the lobby alarm console and live camera feeds overnight, log every alarm, suspicious entry, or…
Watch alarm and video recording systems
+Monitor the lobby alarm console and live camera feeds overnight, log every alarm, suspicious entry, or failure with timestamps and unit badge numbers, attempt two-way radio contact on first alarm, and escalate unresolved threats to patrol supervisor immediately.
The tools that do the worksurveillance camerasMicrosoft OutlookESCOjob descriptionsWikipedia
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Communicate with law enforcement when needed
+When a criminal act is observed, notify the local police dispatcher with location, suspect description, and…
Communicate with law enforcement when needed
+When a criminal act is observed, notify the local police dispatcher with location, suspect description, and weapons status, preserve the scene and eyewitnesses until officers arrive, and forward the official incident report and video evidence to the detective within the hour.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Outlooksurveillance camerasjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Report suspicious activities and incidents
+Write a timed incident report for the 14:30 suspicious package and the 15:05 verbal altercation at north…
Report suspicious activities and incidents
+Write a timed incident report for the 14:30 suspicious package and the 15:05 verbal altercation at north entrance, include witness names, camera clips, officer observations, actions taken, and send the completed report to the duty supervisor by end of shift.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordsurveillance camerasjob descriptionsO*NET
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Care3
Patrol designated property areas
+Patrol the west and south lots, rooftop HVAC access, and perimeter fencing on the 10:00–12:00 shift, log open…
Patrol designated property areas
+Patrol the west and south lots, rooftop HVAC access, and perimeter fencing on the 10:00–12:00 shift, log open gates, report any unfamiliar vehicles or loiterers to the control room immediately, and mark check-in times on the beat sheet.
The tools that do the worksurveillance camerasESCOWikipedia
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Control access at entrances
+Control access at the main lobby from 07:00–09:00: check government IDs against the visitor log, deny entry…
Control access at entrances
+Control access at the main lobby from 07:00–09:00: check government IDs against the visitor log, deny entry to anyone without valid credentials, escort any aggressive or non-compliant visitor to the supervisor, and note refusals with reason and time.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCOO*NET
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Enforce safety and security protocols
+Enforce the facility safety protocols during the 20:00 shift: ensure emergency exits are clear, verify staff…
Enforce safety and security protocols
+Enforce the facility safety protocols during the 20:00 shift: ensure emergency exits are clear, verify staff carry badges, stop and correct crews not following PPE rules, and document any protocol breaches with corrective actions for the safety manager.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft SharePointjob descriptionsWikipedia
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The daily work14
Report infractions and law breaching activities
+Write and file an incident report documenting the trespass, illegal drug transaction, and any weapons…
Report infractions and law breaching activities
+Write and file an incident report documenting the trespass, illegal drug transaction, and any weapons observed near Gate C with times, witness statements, badge numbers, and CCTV clip references, send copies to the duty supervisor and legal by 18:00.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCO
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Deal with aggressive behaviour
+Log the assault on Visitor A in the behaviour management register with a factual description, de-escalation…
Deal with aggressive behaviour
+Log the assault on Visitor A in the behaviour management register with a factual description, de-escalation steps taken, injuries, medical requests, and recommend temporary exclusion, then notify the duty manager and HR before end of shift.
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Respond to security incidents and emergencies
+Respond immediately to the alarm at Gate B, secure the scene, check IDs of everyone present, render first aid…
Respond to security incidents and emergencies
+Respond immediately to the alarm at Gate B, secure the scene, check IDs of everyone present, render first aid if needed, notify police and the duty manager, and compile a timeline of actions taken before handing over at my shift end.
The tools that do the worksurveillance camerasjob descriptionsO*NET
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Patrol designated areas to ensure safety
+Patrol the south loading dock and adjacent public areas for the next two hours, focus on blind spots and…
Patrol designated areas to ensure safety
+Patrol the south loading dock and adjacent public areas for the next two hours, focus on blind spots and delivery bays, note any suspicious people or vehicles, engage politely with staff to check credentials, and report unresolved concerns to control.
The tools that do the worksurveillance camerasjob descriptionsO*NET
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Detain or remove trespassers
+Approach the two trespassers by the west fence, separate them, check identification, issue a verbal removal…
Detain or remove trespassers
+Approach the two trespassers by the west fence, separate them, check identification, issue a verbal removal order citing property rules, detain only if they refuse or become aggressive, call police if they will not comply, and escort them off premises with witness notes.
The tools that do the worksurveillance camerasjob descriptionsWikipedia
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Write detailed incident reports
+Write a clear incident report for the midnight altercation: state date, time, location, people involved with…
Write detailed incident reports
+Write a clear incident report for the midnight altercation: state date, time, location, people involved with IDs checked, sequence of events, actions taken, witness statements, and attach any relevant footage before submitting to the duty manager.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsWikipedia
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Maintain visibility as a deterrent
+Position myself and remain visible on the main concourse during the Friday evening shift, engage with…
Maintain visibility as a deterrent
+Position myself and remain visible on the main concourse during the Friday evening shift, engage with visitors walking by, monitor crowd clusters for signs of aggression or unattended bags, intervene early on disturbances and radio control for backup when needed.
The tools that do the worksurveillance camerasjob descriptionsWikipedia
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Circulate among visitors, patrons, or employees to preserve order and protect property.
+Circulate among patrons in the food hall for my two-hour beat, greet staff to verify IDs, diffuse any rising…
Circulate among visitors, patrons, or employees to preserve order and protect property.
+Circulate among patrons in the food hall for my two-hour beat, greet staff to verify IDs, diffuse any rising arguments with calm verbal commands, note property concerns and lost items, and hand a concise log to the supervisor at the end of the shift.
The tools that do the worksurveillance camerasO*NET
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Answer telephone calls to take messages, answer questions, and provide information during non-business hours or when switchboard is closed.
+Answer the night switchboard, take clear messages with caller name, company, phone, time and reason, provide…
Answer telephone calls to take messages, answer questions, and provide information during non-business hours or when switchboard is closed.
+Answer the night switchboard, take clear messages with caller name, company, phone, time and reason, provide directions or building entry procedures, note any suspicious comments, and send the written log to the daytime supervisor at 07:00.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookO*NET
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Escort or drive motor vehicle to transport individuals to specified locations or to provide personal protection.
+Escort Ms. Lopez from lobby to Parking Bay 3, drive her to the clinic on Elm Street, follow her requested…
Escort or drive motor vehicle to transport individuals to specified locations or to provide personal protection.
+Escort Ms. Lopez from lobby to Parking Bay 3, drive her to the clinic on Elm Street, follow her requested route, keep vehicle doors locked, monitor for threats, and confirm arrival by radio to control before returning to base.
The tools that do the worksurveillance camerasO*NET
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Monitor and adjust controls that regulate building systems, such as air conditioning, furnace, or boiler.
+Monitor building environmental controls during the night shift, adjust temperature and ventilation settings…
Monitor and adjust controls that regulate building systems, such as air conditioning, furnace, or boiler.
+Monitor building environmental controls during the night shift, adjust temperature and ventilation settings if alarms trigger or occupant complaints come in, log any faults with time and action taken, and notify maintenance and supervisor immediately for unresolved faults.
The tools that do the worksurveillance camerasO*NET
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Control access by verifying credentials
+Control access at the main entrance by checking photo ID and staff passes against the current authorised…
Control access by verifying credentials
+Control access at the main entrance by checking photo ID and staff passes against the current authorised list, refuse entry to unverified visitors, record name, company and time, and call the supervisor if anyone becomes aggressive or cannot produce valid credentials.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Assist visitors and provide information
+Stand at the lobby desk during peak hours, greet visitors, answer questions about locations, provide printed…
Assist visitors and provide information
+Stand at the lobby desk during peak hours, greet visitors, answer questions about locations, provide printed directions or contact numbers, escalate safety concerns to the supervisor, and note repeat suspicious enquiries in the incident log.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptions
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Ask suspicious individuals for identification
+Approach anyone acting suspiciously, request government photo ID and purpose of visit calmly, compare ID…
Ask suspicious individuals for identification
+Approach anyone acting suspiciously, request government photo ID and purpose of visit calmly, compare ID details to the appointment list, refuse access and call the supervisor and police if ID is falsified or the individual becomes confrontational.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft SharePointESCO
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Says who?
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Activities this job lives in
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses