GITNUXREPORT 2025

Security Guard Industry Statistics

Security industry grows, adopts technology, faces staffing, security, and safety challenges.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The security guard industry in the U.S. generates approximately $50 billion annually

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The global security services market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.3% through 2027

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The global private security market was valued at approximately $245 billion in 2020

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The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) for security surveillance has increased by over 200% in the last three years

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Physical security accounts for approximately 65% of all security expenditures

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The adoption of alarm systems by commercial properties has increased by approximately 25% over the past five years

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The use of remote surveillance centers (central monitoring stations) has increased by more than 100% in the last five years

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The demand for security services is expected to grow fastest in the healthcare, retail, and logistics sectors

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Security industry job growth is projected at approximately 3% annually through 2026, according to labor market forecasts

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The most common security guard certifications include CPR, first aid, and firearm training

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Around 25% of security companies report difficulty in recruiting qualified personnel

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The average response time of security guards to alarms is approximately 5 minutes

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The average turnover rate for security guards is approximately 30%, which is higher than many other service industries

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Security patrol vehicles are used by over 60% of private security firms for rapid response

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The rate of workplace violence incidents involving security guards has increased by about 12% over the last decade

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Nearly 75% of security guards report feeling unsafe at some point during their work shifts

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The frequency of cybersecurity breaches affecting security firms has increased by roughly 20% annually

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Approximately 80% of security guards have access to or operate electronic security devices during their shifts

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Cybersecurity threats targeting security firms increased by nearly 50% in the year 2022

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Security guards' training programs that include de-escalation and conflict resolution have seen a 60% increase in adoption over the last three years

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The theft and vandalism prevention market segment accounts for about 35% of the security industry revenue

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CCTV and surveillance systems are used by over 80% of commercial security guards

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The average cost of a security breach for a small business is estimated at $120,000, emphasizing the importance of security services

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The share of contract security jobs that involve armed security guards is about 30%, with the remaining being unarmed

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There is a growing trend toward outsourcing security to specialized firms, with over 65% of corporate security budgets allocated to third-party providers

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The use of body cameras by security guards has increased by over 150% in the past five years

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More than 85% of security firms use some form of biometric identification, such as fingerprint or facial recognition

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Approximately 40% of security companies plan to invest in new technologies such as AI and machine learning

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The use of AI-powered threat detection tools is projected to increase security effectiveness by over 25% in the next five years

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There are over 1.1 million security guards employed in the United States

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The average salary for a security guard in the U.S. is around $31,000 per year

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About 60% of security guards are employed in private security firms

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Approximately 70% of security guards are male

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About 45% of security guards are aged between 25 and 44 years old

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Less than 10% of security guards hold a college degree

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Approximately 30% of security guards are licensed at the state level, depending on the state regulations

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Over 50% of security guards are employed at retail locations

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About 15% of security guards work in healthcare facilities

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The average age of security guards in the U.S. is approximately 40 years old

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The security guard industry employs about 150,000 women, making up roughly 13-15% of the workforce

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Over 40% of security guards have secondary employment or part-time roles

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About 10% of security guards are employed in governmental or military facilities

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Training requirements for security guards vary significantly by state, with some requiring up to 40 hours of training and others none at all

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About 55% of security firms are family-owned businesses, indicating a high level of small business representation

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More than 90% of security guards are required to pass background checks before employment

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About 35% of security firms surveyed plan to increase their staffing levels in the next year

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Security guards with specialized training in cyber and electronic security are paid approximately 10-15% more than general security guards

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In large urban areas, the density of security guards can reach up to 10 guards per 1,000 residents, depending on the crime rate

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Key Highlights

The security guard industry in the U.S. generates approximately $50 billion annually
There are over 1.1 million security guards employed in the United States
The average salary for a security guard in the U.S. is around $31,000 per year
About 60% of security guards are employed in private security firms
The global security services market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.3% through 2027
Approximately 70% of security guards are male
About 45% of security guards are aged between 25 and 44 years old
Less than 10% of security guards hold a college degree
The use of body cameras by security guards has increased by over 150% in the past five years
Approximately 30% of security guards are licensed at the state level, depending on the state regulations
The most common security guard certifications include CPR, first aid, and firearm training
Around 25% of security companies report difficulty in recruiting qualified personnel
The theft and vandalism prevention market segment accounts for about 35% of the security industry revenue

With the security guard industry generating over $50 billion annually and employing more than 1.1 million Americans, this vital sector is rapidly evolving amid technological advancements, workforce challenges, and soaring demand across key sectors like healthcare and retail.

Market Size and Growth Trends

The security guard industry in the U.S. generates approximately $50 billion annually
The global security services market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.3% through 2027
The global private security market was valued at approximately $245 billion in 2020
The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) for security surveillance has increased by over 200% in the last three years
Physical security accounts for approximately 65% of all security expenditures
The adoption of alarm systems by commercial properties has increased by approximately 25% over the past five years
The use of remote surveillance centers (central monitoring stations) has increased by more than 100% in the last five years
The demand for security services is expected to grow fastest in the healthcare, retail, and logistics sectors
Security industry job growth is projected at approximately 3% annually through 2026, according to labor market forecasts

Market Size and Growth Trends Interpretation

With a booming $50 billion domestic industry fueled by a global $245 billion market—and innovations like drone surveillance growing over 200%—it's clear that while physical security still dominates with 65% of expenditures, the ever-evolving landscape demands smarter, more integrated solutions across healthcare, retail, and logistics, all while offering steady job growth of around 3% annually.

Operational Practices and Industry Challenges

The most common security guard certifications include CPR, first aid, and firearm training
Around 25% of security companies report difficulty in recruiting qualified personnel
The average response time of security guards to alarms is approximately 5 minutes
The average turnover rate for security guards is approximately 30%, which is higher than many other service industries
Security patrol vehicles are used by over 60% of private security firms for rapid response
The rate of workplace violence incidents involving security guards has increased by about 12% over the last decade
Nearly 75% of security guards report feeling unsafe at some point during their work shifts
The frequency of cybersecurity breaches affecting security firms has increased by roughly 20% annually
Approximately 80% of security guards have access to or operate electronic security devices during their shifts
Cybersecurity threats targeting security firms increased by nearly 50% in the year 2022
Security guards' training programs that include de-escalation and conflict resolution have seen a 60% increase in adoption over the last three years

Operational Practices and Industry Challenges Interpretation

Despite extensive certifications and advanced technology, the security industry faces a labor shortage, rising workplace violence, and escalating cyber threats—reminding us that protecting physical and digital realms remains a high-stakes balancing act with a workforce that often feels unsafe and overburdened.

Security Services and Market Segments

The theft and vandalism prevention market segment accounts for about 35% of the security industry revenue
CCTV and surveillance systems are used by over 80% of commercial security guards
The average cost of a security breach for a small business is estimated at $120,000, emphasizing the importance of security services
The share of contract security jobs that involve armed security guards is about 30%, with the remaining being unarmed
There is a growing trend toward outsourcing security to specialized firms, with over 65% of corporate security budgets allocated to third-party providers

Security Services and Market Segments Interpretation

With theft and vandalism prevention commanding over a third of security industry revenue and small breaches costing brands $120,000 on average, the savvy shift toward outsourcing—especially armed guards and high-tech CCTV—underscores a market that’s both evolving and imperative for survival.

Technology Adoption and Innovations

The use of body cameras by security guards has increased by over 150% in the past five years
More than 85% of security firms use some form of biometric identification, such as fingerprint or facial recognition
Approximately 40% of security companies plan to invest in new technologies such as AI and machine learning
The use of AI-powered threat detection tools is projected to increase security effectiveness by over 25% in the next five years

Technology Adoption and Innovations Interpretation

As technology transforms the security guard industry—from a 150% boom in body cameras to nearly all firms adopting biometric IDs and a growing investment in AI, it’s clear that the future of security is becoming smarter, sharper, and more reliant on innovation than ever before.

Workforce Composition and Demographics

There are over 1.1 million security guards employed in the United States
The average salary for a security guard in the U.S. is around $31,000 per year
About 60% of security guards are employed in private security firms
Approximately 70% of security guards are male
About 45% of security guards are aged between 25 and 44 years old
Less than 10% of security guards hold a college degree
Approximately 30% of security guards are licensed at the state level, depending on the state regulations
Over 50% of security guards are employed at retail locations
About 15% of security guards work in healthcare facilities
The average age of security guards in the U.S. is approximately 40 years old
The security guard industry employs about 150,000 women, making up roughly 13-15% of the workforce
Over 40% of security guards have secondary employment or part-time roles
About 10% of security guards are employed in governmental or military facilities
Training requirements for security guards vary significantly by state, with some requiring up to 40 hours of training and others none at all
About 55% of security firms are family-owned businesses, indicating a high level of small business representation
More than 90% of security guards are required to pass background checks before employment
About 35% of security firms surveyed plan to increase their staffing levels in the next year
Security guards with specialized training in cyber and electronic security are paid approximately 10-15% more than general security guards
In large urban areas, the density of security guards can reach up to 10 guards per 1,000 residents, depending on the crime rate

Workforce Composition and Demographics Interpretation

With over 1.1 million U.S. security guards earning around $31,000 annually—most male, operating mainly in retail and private firms with minimal formal education and varied training—it's clear that the industry remains a vital, yet largely informal backbone of our safety net, often staffed by small family businesses and supplemented by part-time work, highlighting a workforce both essential and underappreciated in maintaining public and private security.