How much does a security worker make?
Answer: A typical security worker in the United States makes $42,540 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 82,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Security worker pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $32,470 | $42,540 | $74,590 | about 82,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | $64,940 | about 650 |
| Wisconsin | $57,620 | about 910 |
| New Jersey | $54,950 | about 4,000 |
| Nevada | $54,790 | about 910 |
| Maryland | $52,780 | about 930 |
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can vary with experience, useful licenses or certificates, the employer and specialty, and location. Hours worked and, where offered, shift premiums also matter; more complex or responsible duties may pay differently.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a security worker do?
All protective service workers not listed separately.
What's a typical day like?
In retail loss prevention, you might inspect store areas and stock and investigate suspected theft. You write reports, share findings with the right people, and may testify in court.
How to get this job
Many jobs call for a high school diploma or GED, then on-the-job training. Since 33-9099 is a catch-all, any license, exam, apprenticeship, or minimum starting age depends on the specialty and state.
Did you know?
A retail loss-prevention worker may have to testify in court about an investigation—not just watch for missing goods.
What about Japan?
Nearly the same jobThe US figure is the median and the Japan figure is the average, so it's not a perfect comparison. Prices differ too.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Protective Service jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/33-9099.00
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/33-9099.02
- www.bls.gov/ors/factsheet/protective-service-occupations.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/security-guards.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY