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Security Guards

Protects people and property at businesses, schools and events.

Typical education to startHigh school diploma or equivalent
Job outlook2025–2035: +1%
Median pay$38,020 a year (2025)
Interest codeRC Realistic, Conventional

Read the full guide

Security officers patrol buildings, check visitors, watch cameras, respond to alarms and incidents, and write reports. It's a common first job for people heading into police work.

Open the security officer guide

The guide checks the courses against your plan, with things to try each year. Free account needed.

High school courses that build toward it

  • English 10 · English

    Builds reading and writing, which this job uses.

  • Physical Education · Health and PE

    Builds teaching and training, which this job uses.

  • Child Development · Career and Technical

    Builds teaching and training, which this job uses.

  • Computer Science Principles · Computer Science

    Builds computers and electronics, which this job uses.

  • German · World Language

    Builds a second language, which this job uses.

  • U.S. History · Social Studies

    Builds reading and writing, which this job uses.

Ranked by how much the job relies on what each course teaches, from O*NET's knowledge ratings. Your school's own courses and the counselor have the final word.

Security Guards on O*NET OnLine · O*NET 31.0 (U.S. Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0); BLS Employment Projections 2025.