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Profession JRI–08 / Trades

Will AI replace security guards?

Security guards perform crucial roles in protecting people and property through monitoring, patrolling, and access control. While many routine surveillance tasks are increasingly automated with cameras and sensors, guards remain essential for interpreting complex situations, de-escalating conflicts, and responding to medical emergencies.

The risk spectrum — where Security Guard sits
Security Guard vs the 83 other jobs
Risk rank8 / 84
Automation timeline0-2 years
Median salary$38,020
Projected growth+0.4% (2024–34)
01 / Your plan

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Updated Sep 21, 2026

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02 / Job market

Official outlook: still growing.

Within the 84 professions
Salary$38,020
$31k$171k
Growth+0.4% (2024–34)
-25.9%33.5%

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a +0.4% change in employment for this occupation between 2024 and 2034, from a current base of 1,283,470 people employed earning a median of $38,020 a year.

Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–34 & OEWS May 2025.

AI adoption in postings →

JRI demand index / weekly, base 100179
Jul 13Sep 7

Collected weekly through our own intake pipeline across live job postings; normalised index, not absolute counts.

03 / Real salaries

Security Guard salaries by city

Median pay from real records (H-1B filings and tech job postings), across the cities with most observations.

New York$47,268Nashville$42,557Los Angeles$48,360Louisville$39,250Houston$34,320Chicago$42,058

Range shows p25–p75; the dot is the median. Sources carry a documented bias — see the full salary page.

See real salaries →

04 / How to enter

How to become a security guard.

Typical preparation

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

Education

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed.

Job training

Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Getting in is one thing — the day-to-day runs on a specific set of tools and skills:

Foundations
Core skills

Full skill path with courses →

06 / FAQ

What people ask.

01Will AI replace security guards?
Automation may reshape many guard duties, but full displacement is not certain. The risk score for this occupation is 87, with automation expected in 0-2 years. There are 1283470 guards currently employed, and the role still requires human judgment for ambiguous threats, conflict de-escalation, and medical emergencies.
02How soon could automation affect Security Guards?
Within 0-2 years, routine tasks like patrolling, alarm answering, and entrance checks will likely be more automated. The risk score is 87, indicating critical exposure. Still, guards remain necessary for interpreting complex situations and providing first aid, which automation does not yet cover.
03What skills keep Security Guards relevant?
Critical thinking appears as a high-demand skill, helping guards assess ambiguous threats. Network monitoring software is also high-demand, enabling digital patrols and evidence collection. Document management software supports reporting, while active listening and speaking, both medium-demand entry skills, aid de-escalation and emergency communication.
04How do you become a Security Guard?
Typically, a high school diploma is the required educational level. Entry-level skills include active listening, monitoring, and speaking, each rated medium demand. New guards often train on tasks such as locking doors, answering alarms, and patrolling premises, as shown in the occupation's task list.
05Is starting a Security Guard career in 2026 a good idea?
Projected growth registers +0.4% (2024–34), indicating essentially flat demand. The salary midpoint is 38020, and the occupation employs 1283470 people. The risk score sits at 87, suggesting that learning digital tools like network monitoring software is prudent for new entrants.
06What digital tools do Security Guards work with?
Network monitoring software is a high-demand skill for these roles. The evidence lists Microsoft Excel, Microsoft SharePoint, McAfee, and Wireshark as common tools. These aid electronic reporting, evidence documentation, and alert investigation, complementing the communication and critical-thinking skills guards already use.