Security Guard job description in the United States
Duties, requirements, interview questions, and a ready-to-use template so you can post your job today.
Job summary
A security guard protects people, property, and premises by controlling who comes in, watching for risks, and responding when something goes wrong. The role checks identification, patrols the site, monitors cameras and alarms, and writes reports on every incident. For the business, an alert and trustworthy guard deters theft and intrusion, gives employees and visitors confidence, and provides a reliable record when an incident occurs.
Main duties
- Control access for employees, visitors, vehicles, and contractors, verifying identification and authorization
- Record entries, exits, packages, and deliveries in the logbook or access control system
- Patrol the premises at set intervals, checking doors, windows, fences, and lighting
- Monitor CCTV cameras and alarm panels and respond to alerts
- Inspect bags, packages, and vehicles according to site procedures
- Respond to incidents such as theft, intrusion, fire, or medical emergencies and call the authorities
- Write clear incident reports with times, facts, people involved, and actions taken
- Direct evacuations and give basic first aid until emergency services arrive
- Hand off the post with a complete briefing and logbook to the next shift
Typical requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Security guard license, registration, or training course, as required by the country
- Criminal background check that meets the local requirements for security work
- Previous experience in security, the military, or law enforcement is a plus
- Availability for rotating shifts of days, nights, weekends, and holidays
- Ability to stand or walk for long periods and to write clear reports
- First aid and fire extinguisher training are valued
Key skills
Salary in the United States
Based on jobs posted on Saplic over the last 6 months. This is a market benchmark, not an official figure.
Job posting template ready to copy
Replace the fields in brackets with your company's details.
Market benchmark: $4,771 per month (median of the jobs posted on Saplic over the last 6 months).
Security Guard — [Company name]
At [Company name], we are looking for a security guard to protect our facilities in [City]. The person in this role will control access, patrol the premises, monitor cameras and alarms, and respond calmly and professionally to any incident.
Responsibilities
- Control access for employees, visitors, vehicles, and contractors, verifying identification and authorization
- Record entries, exits, packages, and deliveries in the logbook or access control system
- Patrol the premises at set intervals, checking doors, windows, fences, and lighting
- Monitor CCTV cameras and alarm panels and respond to alerts
- Inspect bags, packages, and vehicles according to site procedures
- Respond to incidents such as theft, intrusion, fire, or medical emergencies and call the authorities
- Write clear incident reports with times, facts, people involved, and actions taken
- Direct evacuations and give basic first aid until emergency services arrive
- Hand off the post with a complete briefing and logbook to the next shift
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Security guard license, registration, or training course, as required by the country
- Criminal background check that meets the local requirements for security work
- Previous experience in security, the military, or law enforcement is a plus
- Availability for rotating shifts of days, nights, weekends, and holidays
- Ability to stand or walk for long periods and to write clear reports
- First aid and fire extinguisher training are valued
What we offer
- Salary: [Salary]
- Benefits: [Benefits]
- Location: [City]
Interested in this job? Apply today.
How to hire a security guard
Run the background check first
The official criminal record check and any license or registration required for security work should be verified before the offer. Hiring first and checking later exposes the company to serious risk.
Call former supervisors
References should address attendance, sleeping on post, incidents handled, and reason for leaving. In this role, reliability during long, quiet night shifts matters more than size or strength.
Test report writing
An incident report is often the only evidence the company has. Showing the candidate a short scenario and asking for a written report reveals clarity, sequence, and attention to facts.
Explain the post in detail
Shift length, whether the post is standing or seated, indoors or outdoors, alone or with a team, and the rotation pattern should all be stated. Surprises here drive early resignations.
Look for a calm temperament
Guards who escalate confrontations create liability. Scenario questions about an aggressive visitor should produce answers centered on de-escalation, distance, and calling for support, not on force.
Interview questions for security guard candidates
What would you do if someone without identification insisted on entering and said they knew the manager?
What to look for: Courteous firmness, following the access procedure, verifying with the host, and no exceptions under pressure.
How would you react if you saw an employee leaving with company property?
What to look for: Following procedure, asking for authorization calmly, reporting, and avoiding accusations or physical contact.
What did you do during the most serious incident you faced on a post?
What to look for: Composure, correct sequence of actions, calling for support, and a complete report afterward.
How do you stay alert during a long night shift?
What to look for: Concrete habits such as varied patrols, rest before the shift, and staying active on post.
What would you do if an alarm went off while you were alone on the site?
What to look for: Notifying the control center or authorities first, assessing from a safe position, and not acting recklessly.
What information would you include in an incident report?
What to look for: Date, time, place, people involved, objective facts in sequence, actions taken, and who was notified.
How would you handle an angry visitor who began shouting at the reception desk?
What to look for: Calm tone, safe distance, listening, de-escalation, and requesting support before the situation worsens.
What would you do if a coworker asked you to let something go unreported?
What to look for: Refusing and reporting according to procedure, with integrity ahead of friendship.
Screen better with the Saplic ATS
Posting the job is the first step. The Saplic recruiting system organizes everything that comes after.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in the United States?
The median of the jobs posted on Saplic over the last 6 months is $4,771 per month, and the typical range runs from $4,330 to $4,975. This is a market benchmark, not an official figure.
What requirements are typical for a security guard in the United States?
The most common ones in job postings are: high school diploma or equivalent; security guard license, registration, or training course, as required by the country; criminal background check that meets the local requirements for security work.
Is it better to hire security guards directly or through a security company?
A security company provides trained staff, supervision, and replacements, and handles the licensing paperwork, which suits most small and midsize businesses. Hiring directly gives more control over selection and continuity but requires complying with local regulations for private security, which in many countries include licensing and specific training.
What must be verified before hiring a security guard?
The official criminal background check, any license or registration required for security work in the country, and employment references that speak to reliability and conduct. If the post involves special duties, additional authorizations and training must be confirmed as well. Skipping these checks defeats the purpose of hiring security.
How much does it cost to post security guard jobs on Saplic?
Nothing. Posting the job is free and no credit card is required. The recruiting system for organizing the people who apply is free too.