An official website of the United States government

The .gov means it's official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Bureau of Labor Statistics > Occupational Requirements Survey > Publications > Factsheets

Security guards

Guard, patrol, or monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules. May operate x-ray and metal detector equipment.

Cognitive and mental requirements

The qualifications that workers need to use judgment, make decisions, interact with others, and adapt to changes in jobs.

Table 1. Percentage of security guards with cognitive and mental requirements, 2024
Requirement	Yes	No
Adaptability: Work schedule variability	33.2	66.8
Pace: Pause control	3.2	96.8
Working around crowds	14.5	85.5
Telework	<5	>95
Work review: Supervising others	<0.5	>99.5
Work review: Presence of supervisor	7.6	92.4
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey

Education, training, and experience requirements

The minimum level of formal education required, credentials necessary, on-the-job training, and prior work experience necessary for average performance in jobs.

In 2024, prior work experience was required for 10.9 percent of security guards and on-the-job training was required for greater than 99.5 percent.

A high school diploma was required for 73.8 percent of security guards.

Environmental conditions

The various tangible or concrete hazards or difficulties that are in the vicinity of where jobs’ critical tasks are performed.

In 2024, greater than 99.5 percent of security guards were not exposed to extreme cold, and greater than 99.5 percent were not exposed to extreme heat. Wetness was not present for greater than 95 percent, greater than 99.5 percent were not exposed to heavy vibrations, and 10.2 percent were not exposed to the outdoors.

Physical demands

Refer to the physical activities required to perform tasks in jobs. The presence and, in some cases, duration of these activities are published.

In 2024, reaching at or below the shoulder was required for 45.4 percent of security guards and was not required for 54.6 percent.

Performing work in low postures was required for 39.9 percent of security guards and was not required for 60.1 percent.

On average, security guards spent 37.3 percent of the workday sitting and 62.7 percent of the workday standing.

Table 2. Percentage of security guards with physical demands, 2024
Requirement	Yes	No
Choice of sitting or standing	<5	>95
Driving	63.9	36.1
Climbing structure-related ramps or stairs	59.4	40.6
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey