Security decisions are better when they start with a clear picture of the work, the risks, and the limits of the data. This reference brings together the latest federal figures that are most useful when discussing professional security coverage.
The Workforce
Security guard employment and pay.
Security guards work across commercial properties, residential communities, retail settings, schools, health care facilities, hospitality, and many other environments. The following figures describe the U.S. workforce, not one company or market.
1,294,300
security guard jobs in the U.S.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 1,294,300 security guard jobs in 2025.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Security Guards and Gambling Surveillance Officers (August 27, 2026) ↗58%
worked in guard and armored-car services
Investigation, guard, and armored-car services were the largest employing industry for security guards in 2025.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Security Guards and Gambling Surveillance Officers (August 27, 2026) ↗$38,020
median annual pay for security guards
This was the national median annual wage for security guards in May 2025.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Security Guards and Gambling Surveillance Officers (August 27, 2026) ↗1%
projected workforce growth through 2035
Security guard employment is projected to grow from 1,294,300 jobs in 2025 to 1,305,600 in 2035.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Security Guards and Gambling Surveillance Officers (August 27, 2026) ↗157,200
annual openings projected across the occupation group
The BLS projects this yearly average from 2025 through 2035 for security guards and gambling surveillance officers, largely from replacement needs.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Security Guards and Gambling Surveillance Officers (August 27, 2026) ↗Risk Context
Crime and fraud trends.
National figures help show the larger environment, but they do not predict risk at a specific property, event, or business. Local conditions, operating hours, access points, and the people on site still matter.
-9.3%
estimated change in violent crime
National violent crime decreased from 2024 to 2025, according to the FBI's summary of reported crimes.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Summary of Reported Crimes in the Nation, 2025 (2025) ↗-12.4%
estimated change in property crime
National property crime decreased from 2024 to 2025 in the same FBI summary.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Summary of Reported Crimes in the Nation, 2025 (2025) ↗$16.6B
in reported internet-crime losses
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center recorded 859,532 complaints in 2024, with reported losses up 33% from 2023.
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, 2024 Internet Crime Report (2024) ↗4,878
cyber-threat complaints from critical infrastructure
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center recorded these reports from critical-infrastructure organizations in 2024.
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, 2024 Internet Crime Report (2024) ↗What The Data Means
Security works best when it fits the setting.
Broad national trends can move in the right direction while a property still has its own access, visibility, after-hours, or incident-response concerns. Strong coverage starts with the environment, the priorities, and a plan that gives people clear roles when something needs attention.
For Florida properties, businesses, and private clients, Boskeeta provides tailored guard, patrol, concierge, and executive protection coverage. Start with a security consultation to define the setting, schedule, and priorities that matter most.
Methodology And Sources
How to use this page.
This page uses primary federal sources. Workforce figures come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Crime figures come from the FBI's national reporting program. Internet-crime figures come from the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. Each source has its own reporting scope, collection method, and publication schedule, so figures should be read in that context.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Security Guards and Gambling Surveillance Officers (August 27, 2026) ↗
- FBI Crime Data Explorer, Summary of Reported Crimes in the Nation, 2025 (2025) ↗
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, 2024 Internet Crime Report (2024) ↗
Cite this page
Boskeeta Security & Protection. “Security Guard & Safety Statistics 2026.” Updated September 8, 2026. Accessed [date].

