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