Security and Investigation

The U.S. Department of Labor reports that the investigation, guard, and armored car services industry employed 839,570 workers in May 2023, of which 732,440 (87.2 percent) were security guards. Another 28,420 (1.7 percent) workers were in first-line supervisory positions. A few thousand workers are employed as secretaries and clerks.

As the name implies, the investigation, guard, and armored car services industry has three major components.

Most private investigation establishments are small operations, and in fact many have only one paid employee. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 38,800 people worked as private detectives and investigators as of May 2023. Thirty-one percent worked in retail trade. The rest work in various industries. For example, some work for law offices, often gathering information to use in court proceedings. About 12 percent worked for finance and insurance companies.

Employers provide on-the-job training and do not require any particular educational background for many investigation jobs. For corporate work, a bachelor's degree is often required, and more than one-third of workers hold a bachelor's degree. An accounting degree, for example, can be required for some jobs. Computer forensic investigation requires a high level of skill and constant training to keep abreast of the latest software environments and up-to-date methods of fraud detection. Some specialists learn the skills in a university, and others acquire experience at a law enforcement agency and then move to the private sector. A license is required in many states.

Security guards include both the workers who are stationed at a property, such as a bank or shopping mall, and those who monitor alarms and closed-circuit TV displays. Bodyguards are sometimes assigned to defend individuals. Some guards work around armored cars, picking up and dropping off money and other valuables. They wear bulletproof vests and carry firearms because this is a very hazardous occupation. There were 732,590 security guards and gaming surveillance officers employed in the U.S. as of May 2023, and employment is expected to increase 2 percent from 2023 through 2033. Security guard companies such as Securitas, Allied Universal, and Brink's control a large percent of the market for these guards' services. The remainder of security guards are not employed by a business in this industry but rather by the organization where they work. The industry clusters with the highest concentrations of security guards are retail, restaurants, and food service; casinos, hospitality, areas, and entertainment; and health care, medical centers, and hospitals.

Employers of security guards generally do not require any education beyond high school. New hires usually receive on-the-job training. Licensing requirements vary among states; many states require a license for firms that contract the services of guards. Because the military trains all recruits in firearm use and some specifically as guards, this occupation is one of the most frequent employers of recent veterans.

Nearly 30,000 workers were employed in the U.S. armored transportation services sector in August 2024, according to the data analytics and market research firm IBISWorld. Armored truck drivers typically do not need more than a high school diploma, but, once hired, receive extensive training in security procedures, the use of firearms, and specialized driving techniques (such as defensive driving and evasive maneuvering).

The security systems service industry employed 158,450 workers as of May 2023. About 71,590 (45 percent) of the workers installed, repaired, and maintained alarm systems, and another 5,380 (3.4 percent) supervised these installers and repairers. More than 16,870 workers (10.6 percent) were employed in sales, either to businesses or to consumers. Another 32,630 (20.5 percent) performed office and administrative support work for the industry.

Of the 86,000 workers who were employed as security and fire alarm systems installers. Major employers included investigation and security services firms and building equipment contractors. Training programs for certification by industry organizations are available both in classrooms and online. Most states require installers to be licensed. Employers provide some on-the-job training to familiarize new hires with specific hardware and software systems.