### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Security Guards and Gambling Surveillance Officers Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            									
							
				                                                
                                            




            			security guards imageSecurity guards conduct  security checks over their assigned patrol area.							
						Quick Facts:     Security Guards and Gambling Surveillance Officers2023     Median Pay
            						$37,090     per year
										$17.83     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    High school diploma or equivalentWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    See How to Become OneOn-the-job Training
                                    See How to Become OneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    1,166,700Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    -1% (Little or no change)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    -14,800What Security Guards and Gambling Surveillance Officers Do
                                                
                        
                        
Security guards and gambling surveillance officers protect property from illegal activity.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Security guards work in a variety of places, including industrial settings, retail stores, and office buildings. Gambling surveillance officers work mostly in casinos. Because many buildings and casinos are open 24 hours a day, security guards and officers often must work around the clock.
            
                                                How to Become a Security Guard or Gambling Surveillance Officer
                                                
                        
Security guards and gambling surveillance officers typically need a high school diploma. Gambling surveillance officers may also need experience with security and video surveillance, depending on their work assignment. Most states require guards to be licensed by the state, especially if they carry a firearm.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators was $39,210 in May 2023.									                                														The median annual wage for security guards was $37,070 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Overall employment							of security guards and gambling surveillance officers is projected to show little or no change							 from 2022 to 2032.
						Despite  limited  employment growth, about 151,700 openings for security guards and gambling surveillance officers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for security guards and gambling surveillance officers.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of security guards and gambling surveillance officers with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about security guards and gambling surveillance officers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Security Guards and Gambling Surveillance Officers Do 
            

			Security guards and gaming surveillance officersSecurity guards control building access for employees and visitors.			
Security guards and gambling surveillance officers protect property against theft, vandalism, and other illegal activity.
Duties
Security guards and gaming surveillance officers typically do the following:
Patrol property
Enforce rules and regulations of an employer's property
Monitor alarms and video-surveillance systems
Respond to emergencies
Deter criminal activity
Control building access by employees and visitors
Conduct security checks over a specified area
Write reports on what they observed while on dutyGuards and officers must stay alert, watching for anything unusual. In an emergency, they are required to contact police, fire, or ambulance services. Some security guards carry firearms.
Security guards work wherever people and assets need to be protected. Responsibilities vary by employer. In offices and factories, for example, security guards protect workers and equipment and check the credentials of people and vehicles entering and leaving the premises. In retail stores, guards protect people, merchandise, money, and equipment. They may work with undercover store detectives to prevent theft by customers and employees, detain shoplifting suspects until the police arrive, and patrol parking lots.
Gambling surveillance officers work in freestanding casinos and other facilities that have designated areas for gambling, such as hotels, video gaming terminals, and riverboats. They typically work from an observation room within the gaming facility.
***Security guards*,** also called *security officers,* protect property, enforce rules on the property, and deter criminal activity. Some guards are assigned a stationary position from which they monitor alarms or surveillance cameras. Other guards are assigned a patrol area where they conduct security checks.
***Gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators*** act as security agents for casinos. Using audio and video equipment, they watch casino operations for suspicious activities, such as cheating and theft, and monitor compliance with rules, regulations, and laws. They maintain and organize recordings from security cameras, which are sometimes used as evidence in police investigations.
 Work Environment
			Security guards and gaming surveillance officersSecurity guards and gambling surveillance officers may need to monitor activity on multiple cameras.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators held about 10,800 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators were as follows:
        Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                50%Gambling industries (except casino hotels)
                21Casino hotels
                18State government, excluding education and hospitals
                5Spectator sports
                1Security guards held about 1.2 million jobs in 2022. The largest employers of security guards were as follows:
        Investigation, guard, and armored car services
                60%Educational services; state, local, and private
                6Healthcare and social assistance
                6Accommodation and food services
                5Government
                4Security guards work in a variety of places, including industrial settings, stores, and office buildings. Gambling surveillance officers and investigators are employed in casinos and other gaming facilities only in locations where gambling is legal.
Guards may spend considerable time on their feet patrolling buildings and grounds or may sit for long periods at a single post, such as in a guardhouse at the entrance to a gated facility or community. Others may spend periods of time in a vehicle, patrolling the property and grounds.
Both security guards and gambling surveillance officers may spend much of their shift sitting at a desk or counter in a dark room, observing customers on video surveillance equipment. They may have to monitor activity on multiple screens for long periods of time without distraction.
Work Schedules
Security guards and gambling surveillance officers usually work in shifts of about 8 hours, with rotating schedules. Night shifts are common. Most security guards and gambling surveillance officers work full time. Seasonal work may be available during the holidays and during the warmer summer months in some states.
 How to Become a Security Guard or Gambling Surveillance Officer

			Security guards and gaming surveillance officersMost states require that guards be registered with the state in which they work.			
Security guards and gambling surveillance officers typically require a high school diploma and on-the-job training. Gambling surveillance officers sometimes need experience with security and video surveillance. Most states require security guards to be licensed by the state, especially if they carry a firearm.
Education
Security guards typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, although some jobs may not require formal educational credentials. Gambling surveillance officers also need a high school diploma or equivalent.
A bachelor's degree is not required to enter the occupation. However, some security guards and gambling surveillance officers study in degree fields such as security and protective service or social science.
Training
Although most employers provide instruction for newly hired security guards and surveillance officers, the amount of training varies. Most security guards learn their job in a few weeks, but gambling surveillance officers and investigators may need several months. Employer-provided training typically covers emergency procedures, crime prevention, and proper communication.
Many states recommend that security guards receive about 8 hours of pre-assignment training, 8 to 16 hours of on-the-job training, and 8 hours of annual training. Instruction may include protection, public relations, report writing, deterring crises, first aid, and other specialized training related to the security guard’s assignment.
Training is more rigorous for armed guards because they require weapons training. Armed guards may be tested periodically in the use of firearms.
Gambling surveillance officers and investigators receive training in topics such as the rules of casino games, gaming regulations, identifying cheating techniques, and the proper use of video and radio equipment.
Drug testing may be required both as a condition of employment and randomly during employment.
Work experience in a related occupation
To enter the occupation, gambling surveillance officers and investigators typically need work experience in casinos or with video monitoring technology. Candidates sometimes gain video monitoring experience by working as a security guard.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Most states require that security guards be licensed by the state in which they work. Although licensing requirements vary by state, basic qualifications for candidates are as follows:
Be at least 18 years old
Pass a background check
Complete trainingGuards who carry weapons usually must be licensed by the appropriate government authority. Positions for armed guards have more stringent background checks and entry requirements than do those for unarmed guards. Most states require rigorous hiring and screening programs, including background, criminal record, and fingerprint checks, for armed guards.
Some states and gaming facilities require a minimum age of 21 to work in a casino.
Some jobs may also require a driver's license.
Important Qualities
***Communication skills.*** Security guards and surveillance officers must communicate effectively with others, even in stressful situations.
***Interpersonal skills.*** Security guards often regularly interact with the public; in addition, they must be able to handle and deescalate confrontational situations.
***Observation skills.*** Security guards and surveillance officers must be alert and aware of their surroundings, and be able to quickly recognize anything out of the ordinary.
***Problem-solving skills.*** Security guards and surveillance officers must be able to quickly determine the best course of action when a dangerous situation arises.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                        Security Guards and Gambling Surveillance OfficersMedian annual wages, May 2023Total, all occupations$48,060  Gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators$39,210  Security guards and gambling surveillance officers$37,090  Security guards$37,070  Other protective service workers$36,920Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators was $39,210 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,790, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $57,870.The median annual wage for security guards was $37,070 in May 2023. 


The lowest 10 percent earned less than $28,500, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $57,400.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        State government, excluding education and hospitals
                $74,090Casino hotels
                40,220Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                38,710Gambling industries (except casino hotels)
                37,350Spectator sports
                36,720In May 2023, the median annual wages for security guards in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Educational services; state, local, and private
                $41,370Government
                40,450Healthcare and social assistance
                40,130Accommodation and food services
                36,800Investigation, guard, and armored car services
                36,570Security guards and gambling surveillance officers usually work in shifts of about 8 hours, with rotating schedules. Night shifts are common.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                       Security Guards and Gambling Surveillance OfficersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Total, all occupations3%  Gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators1%  Other protective service workers0%  Security guards and gambling surveillance officers-1%  Security guards-1%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Overall employment				of security guards and gambling surveillance officers is projected to show little or no change				 from 2022 to 2032.
			
			Despite  limited  employment growth, about 151,700 openings for security guards and gambling surveillance officers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Security guards will continue to be needed to protect both people and property because of concerns about crime and vandalism.
States continue to legalize gambling and casinos continue to grow in number, resulting in the need for gambling surveillance officers and investigators.
Advances in remote monitoring technology, such as robots and drones, to prevent cheating may limit the employment of some security guards and gambling surveillance officers and investigators.
			

                        Employment projections data for     security guards and gambling surveillance officers, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Security guards and gambling surveillance officers**
			33-9030
			1,166,700
			1,151,900
			-1
			-14,800
			Get data**Gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators**
			33-9031
			10,800
			10,900
			1
			100
			Get data**Security guards**
			33-9032
			1,155,900
			1,141,000
			-1
			-14,900
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators
					Security guards **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of security guards and gambling surveillance officers. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Correctional Officers and Bailiffs**
            Correctional officers guard people in penal institutions and guard those in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other point. Bailiffs are law enforcement officers who maintain order in courtrooms.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $53,290**Gambling Services Workers**
            Gambling services workers serve customers in gambling establishments, such as casinos or racetracks.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $34,380**Police and Detectives**
            Police officers protect lives and property. Detectives and criminal investigators gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes.
            See How to Become One
            $74,910**Private Detectives and Investigators**
            Private detectives and investigators gather, analyze, and report information to clients regarding legal or personal matters.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $49,540**Firefighters**
            Firefighters control and put out fires and respond to emergencies involving life, property, or the environment.
            Postsecondary nondegree award
            $57,120
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about security guards, visit
The International Union, Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America
Occupational Requirements Survey
For a profile highlighting selected BLS data on occupational requirements, see
Security guards (PDF)

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling InvestigatorsSecurity Guards
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Security Guards and Gambling Surveillance Officers, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/security-guards.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


**U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics**
Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections 
PSB Suite 2135 
2 Massachusetts Avenue NE  
Washington, DC 20212-0001 Telephone:1-202-691-5700 

www.bls.gov/ooh
Contact OOH