There are currently an estimated 1,262,100 security guards in the United States. The security guard job market is expected to grow by 0.4% between 2024 and 2034.

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 5,000 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 199,480
New York 134,700
Texas 106,210
Florida 95,370
Illinois 53,830
Pennsylvania 43,610
New Jersey 41,540
Georgia 36,210
Virginia 34,870
Ohio 34,450
North Carolina 29,830
Arizona 29,820
Tennessee 27,690
Maryland 27,670
Nevada 26,680
Washington 25,800
Michigan 25,240
Massachusetts 23,930
Indiana 19,930
Missouri 18,630
Louisiana 17,210
Colorado 16,890
South Carolina 16,610
District of Columbia 15,880
Alabama 15,210
Minnesota 14,440
Kentucky 13,580
Oklahoma 12,210
Oregon 12,200
Connecticut 12,100
Wisconsin 12,030
Mississippi 10,160
Hawaii 10,160
New Mexico 8,410
Utah 7,310
Kansas 7,150
Iowa 6,890
Arkansas 6,390
West Virginia 5,200
Nebraska 4,700
Idaho 3,750
Delaware 3,430
Rhode Island 3,160
New Hampshire 2,450
Alaska 2,100
Maine 1,930
Montana 1,610
South Dakota 1,460
North Dakota 1,310
Wyoming 1,130
Vermont 930