The US Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that Security Guards have an average annual salary of $35,830, whereas Police Officers earn an average of $70,750 annually. This indicates that Police Officers earn significantly more than Security Guards.
Nevertheless, it's worth mentioning that factors such as location, experience, and the specific workplace can affect salary. For example, Security Guards in Washington DC may have higher earnings (averaging $52,840 per annum) compared to those in Mississippi ($27,650).
Security Guards vs Police Officers overview
Security Guards and Police Officers are two important jobs in the Educational Services industry. There is a general interest in understanding the differences between these job titles, including the average earnings for each of them.
Security Guard job description
Security Guards guard, patrol, or monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules. May operate x-ray and metal detector equipment.
Security Guard education and experience
In order to become a Security Guard, a person typically must obtain a High School Diploma. However this occupation also includes some employees who have a College Course Certificate (9%). Regarding experience, 38% of Security Guard jobs require no previous experience. A smaller part of jobs (36%) require a previous experience of 3 to 6 months.
Security Guard average salary
As reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2021, the number of Security Guards employed in the United States was 1.06M, and they earned an average of $35,830 per year. The bottom 10 percent had earnings of $23,250 or less, and the top 10 percent had earnings of $50,040 or more. The average salary marks an increase of 4.3% compared the previous year.
Do Security Guards make good money?
Security Guards salaries are often not as high as those in other fields, as their average salary is 38% lower than the average salary in the United States ($58,260). Moreover, they earn 20% less than the average pay of the Administrative and Support Services industry ($44,870).
Security Guards salaries are often not as high as those in other fields, as their average salary is 38% lower than the average salary in the United States ($58,260).
Police Officer job description
Alternative names: Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Police Officers maintain order and protect life and property by enforcing local, tribal, state, or federal laws and ordinances. Perform a combination of the following duties: patrol a specific area; direct traffic; issue traffic summonses; investigate accidents; apprehend and arrest suspects, or serve legal processes of courts. Includes police officers working at educational institutions.
Police Officer education and experience
40% of Police Officers hold a High School Diploma, 21% hold a Post-Secondary Certificate, and 17% have an Associate's Degree. When it comes to experience, about a half of Police Officer occupations do not require any previous experience. A smaller number of roles (23%) require a previous experience of 6 months to 1 year.
Police Officer average salary
As reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2021, the number of Police Officers employed in the United States was 665,380, and they earned an average of $70,750 per year. The bottom 10 percent had a salary of $40,190 or less, and the top 10 percent had a salary of $102,530 or more. The average salary marks an increase of 1.1% in comparison to the previous year.
Do Police Officers make good money?
The mean salary of Police Officers is 21% above the average salary in the United States ($58,260). On the other hand, they make 4% more than the mean earnings of the Federal, State, and Local Government industry ($67,800).
The mean salary of Police Officers is 21% above the average salary in the United States ($58,260).
Police Officers job growth
In 2021, there have been 10,480 more Police Officer roles than the previous year across the nation, and that marks a growth of 1.6%. Over the past 3 years, job growth has averaged 0.2%.
FAQ
Do Security Guards or Police Officers make more?
Police Officers make 97% more than Security Guards. Security Guards average around $35,830 per year, while Police Officers make $70,750 per year.
How long does it take to become a Security Guard vs Police Officer?
Both Security Guards and Police Officers usually only need a High School Diploma, so high education is not required.
Is it harder to become a Security Guard vs Police Officer?
Neither occupation is more challenging to attain than the other, as they both require the same level of education.