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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 82 other jobs
Risk rank8 / 83
Automation timeline0-2 years
Median salary$38,020
Projected growth+0.4% (2024–34)
01 / Your plan

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What you'll learn
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Updated Aug 10, 2026

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02 / Job market

Official outlook: still growing.

Within the 83 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 100120
Aug 3Aug 10

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$40,196Nashville$43,160Houston$37,440Los Angeles$58,926

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:

Skills employers ask for

From real job postings for this role — click to explore who asks for them.

Source: O*NET 30.0 database (CC BY 4.0).

06 / FAQ

What people ask.

01Will AI replace security guards?
Risk scores reach 87, placing Security Guards in a critical exposure category, and the projected time window for automation impact is 0–2 years. The data covers 1,283,470 employed Security Guards. Routine surveillance may shift first, but guards still handle ambiguous threats and emergencies that machines cannot fully resolve.
02How soon could automation affect Security Guards?
The evidence points to a 0–2 year window for early automation effects. The risk score stands at 87, signaling critical exposure. Routine duties such as patrolling premises and answering alarms may be automated first, while responding to medical emergencies remains a human task.
03What skills keep Security Guards relevant?
High demand for Critical Thinking and for Network Monitoring Software indicates that guards who combine judgment with digital tools stay relevant. Medium-demand skills include Active Listening, Speaking, and Document Management Software. These support interpreting ambiguous threats, de-escalating conflicts, and using electronic reporting for evidence collection.
04What preparation is needed to become a Security Guard?
A high school diploma is the usual educational requirement. Preparation also involves developing Active Listening, Monitoring, and Speaking, and familiarity with tools including Microsoft Excel and McAfee is part of the occupational profile.
05Is Security Guard a good career to start in 2026?
For a 2026 start, the occupation employs 1,283,470 people and the salary figure shown is $38,020. The projected change over the 2024–34 period is +0.4%, while the risk score stands at 87. That points to limited job growth and strong automation pressure, making critical thinking and network monitoring skills important.
06What tasks do Security Guards perform daily?
Daily duties include patrolling industrial or commercial premises, locking doors and gates, and monitoring who enters and leaves. Guards also answer alarms, investigate disturbances, and respond to medical emergencies by administering basic first aid. The profile shows use of Microsoft SharePoint and McAfee for reporting and monitoring.