Security guard job description template

What a security guard does

Security guards protect people, property, and information. They watch, patrol, check access, and respond when something goes wrong. Most states license guards, and armed posts require additional permits and training. Your description should say whether the post is armed or unarmed, which state license is required, and what the post involves: a lobby desk, a mobile patrol, or a retail floor. Each draws a different kind of candidate.

Security guard job description template

Copy the description, replace everything in [brackets], and cut any line that isn't true for your job. The duties and requirements are a starting point written by HR practitioners, not a legal standard, so edit them to match the real work.

Security guard

Details
- Department: [Department]
- Reports to: [Manager title]
- Location: [City, State, or remote]
- Employment type: [Full-time, part-time, or seasonal]
- FLSA status: Nonexempt
- Pay range: [$X to $Y per hour]

About [Company]
[Two or three sentences about what your company does, who it serves, and why people like working here.]

Job summary
We're hiring a security guard to keep our [site, building, or event] safe by watching, patrolling, and responding professionally to incidents.

What you'll do
- Monitor entrances, exits, and security cameras.
- Check identification and control access for visitors and employees.
- Patrol buildings and grounds on foot or by vehicle.
- Respond to alarms, emergencies, and disturbances.
- Write clear, accurate incident reports.
- Enforce site rules politely and firmly.
- Contact police, fire, or medical services when needed.
- Help with emergency evacuations and drills.

What you'll need
- Valid [State] security guard license or ability to obtain one before starting.
- At least [18 or 21] years old.
- Ability to pass a background check and drug test.
- Ability to stand or walk for long periods and work nights or weekends.

Nice to have
- Previous security, military, or law enforcement experience.
- First aid and CPR certification.
- Experience with access control and camera systems.

Skills
Observation, De-escalation, Report writing, Calm under pressure, Customer service, Integrity.

Physical demands and work environment
Indoor and outdoor posts, in all weather and all hours. Requires standing or walking for long periods.

Pay and benefits
[$X to $Y per hour], based on experience and location. [List benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plan match, paid time off, and training.]

Equal opportunity
[Company] is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. If you need a reasonable accommodation to apply or interview, contact [name] at [email or phone].

How to customize it for your job

• Say whether the post is armed or unarmed.
• State the license required and whether you help obtain it.
• Describe the post type and shift.
• List uniform and equipment provided.

Then check it against the HRTally job description standard, our 10-point checklist, and run it through the inclusive language swap list. Both take about five minutes.

How much to pay a security guard

Half of US security guards earned more than $18.28 an hour in May 2025, and half earned less, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That national figure is a starting point, not a pay range. Pay for the same job can differ by 30 percent or more between metro areas, so check the BLS occupation profile for state and metro data before you set your range.

For hourly roles, the legal floor matters as much as the market rate. Check the current rate where the job is based in our minimum wage by state table, and the state's overtime and break rules in our state labor law library.

To convert between hourly and annual pay, use our salary to hourly calculator. If you hire in a state or city with a pay transparency law, the range must appear in the posting itself. Our pay transparency laws guide lists where, and our guide to salary bands explains how to set ranges you can defend.

Exempt status, licenses, and legal notes

FLSA status: Nonexempt (overtime eligible). Job titles don't decide overtime eligibility. Duties and pay do. Our guide to exempt vs non-exempt employees walks through each test, and the overtime calculator shows what a nonexempt employee is owed.

Most states license security guards and require training hours, a background check, and fingerprinting, and armed guards need additional firearms training and permits. Security guards are nonexempt. Guards who must stay on post during meals must be paid for that time, and guards required to arrive early for shift briefings must be paid for that time as well. Guard companies should also check local licensing for the companies themselves.

This is general information for US employers, not legal advice. Laws change and vary by state and city, so confirm the current rules or talk to employment counsel before you rely on them.

Interview questions to ask

Ask every candidate the same core questions and score answers against the same criteria. Structured interviews are fairer and predict job performance better than open conversation.

1. How would you handle someone who refuses to leave the building?
2. Walk me through how you'd write an incident report.
3. What would you do if a fire alarm went off during your shift?
4. How do you stay alert on a quiet overnight shift?

When you're ready to schedule, use our interview invitation email template. For a full hiring process, read the recruitment process guide.

Frequently asked questions