Why do security guards make so little

But others are plain boring, requiring nothing but sitting by an elevator bank. NYU school of Continuing education offers the Fire related classes, and Pace does hold the security related classes, but I am not sure who runs the course. The jobs are out there , plentiful ,but the work, in my opinion, is boring and repetitive.

It's not necessarily low paying. I know some ex special forces guys who do security for VIPs and celebrities who are making beyond six figures. But if we're talking about the relatively unskilled "Paul Blart" rent-a-cop security, that never paid well.

It pays low, because working as an entry level security gaurd is menial labor that nearly anyone can do. Because they require little training, education or skill.

Around here, most loss prevention is handled by in-house employees and, when it is part of a contract security position, those positions tend to pay relatively well.

They pay a little as possible, if no one accepted low pay they would need to increase it until someone would do the job. Serious Conversation.

They're often low skilled and numerous people can do them, so the need to pay employees well is low. I worked overnight security full time while I was going to college. I did my homework between rounds. Guards sleep between rounds, too. Employer supplies weapon, belt, and holster. Don't know about extra mags, ammo, range time, and pistol handling instruction. I supply my own bullet resistant vest - if I want to wear one cost to me of approx.

How much is my employer charging for the service? Tags: None. I should add that I'm located in the Carolinas. Comment Post Cancel. As for gun training you will probably get minmal training just shooting basics and safety, just enough to meet the State's requirement. Pretty bulky though. Some places here in CA make you buy your own equipment and training AND you get paid minimum wage All they provide is uniform. I'll never do grocery store unarmed again Its really rough espically if you work in a bad neighborhood.

The way they bid is the lowest bid possible. Curtis Baillie. Originally posted by macguard View Post. Minneapolis Security. Your presence here is tactically dangerous and compromises our overall mission parameter.

Cease and desist all activity on this board. You have forced me to compromise my situation to protect your vulnerable flank. This issue will be addressed later. Thanks to everyone for the replies. There are two questions in my post.

Perhaps a better question is: Why do they charge so little that it puts an officer in harm's way at so little compensation? Saying you are in the Carolinas means very little. You might be getting underpaid, or grossly overpaid for the area. If you are in NC, the company has to own the weapon they issue you unless it has changed so they are just doing what they are supposed to do.

Curtis B. OK, you need a state lic, and some Insurance, and maybe even an actual office though I've done gigs after filling out app on hood of a car outside a nightclub, or where 'the office' is obviously the bosses house. I've worked at places that didn't have 24 hour dispatch, including boss who didn't answer ph or even leave "emergency contact" ph.

One reason it pays so low is vast number of laid-off Americans looking for entry level work in any field right now. Plus, most security jobs accept those with limited disability, or lack of salesmanship 'spark', and limited education, and you only need 8 hours of 'training' if that.

On the other hand, I've known guy who did commercial fishing off coast of SF, which is a brutal and dangerous job, and while they would tell you they made "great money" overall the pay was very low From a certain point of view, a security guard does not produce anything—companies can even argue that a security guard does not generate any revenue for them.

Often clients simply want somebody to be there, having an extra pair of eyes to keep people away. This makes security guards appear more like just another expense instead of something beneficial.

This, again, can cause companies to pay less. Most people who have worked and are working as security guards will tell you that there is certainly some prejudice against security guards. On top of that, working as a security guard is not viewed as a very prestigious job either, and it is not respected as a profession. Security guards are often considered to lack any special skills, expertise, or qualifications. It is not uncommon for people to look down on and consider security guards as failed police officers or people that were not good enough to become a real police officer.

Generally speaking, many companies may be looking for people who are 1 willing to work for a low wage and 2 having no criminal record. What that means is that a lot of people can do it, thus driving wages down. There are different kinds of security guard jobs, and there can be a significant difference in the requirements, risk, and overall workload. While some security jobs can be super easy and do not require prior knowledge, skills, or experience, others will require extensive training and different certificates and skills.

Some security guard jobs can be interesting and even somewhat fun, like concert security or fashion show security. Others can be boring, repetitive, and uneventful, like office building hallway security or construction site security. On top of that, security guards can often be working long hour shifts, and in many cases, they can be alone or in secluded rural areas. In facilities that have security guards, it is their job to investigate, document-record information, and try to resolve an issue that may occur while staying within the limitations of their authority.

They provide a crucial form of law enforcement for public places and government facilities. Statistics show that the duties and salaries of security guards differ significantly based on their location. According to research from payscale. Although there are differences in the equipment and job descriptions of each sec These statistics show that their salaries of security officers does not match their jobs description; however, it does show that security guard wages are higher now, then they have been in the past, but is still not enough.

The fact show that security guards deserve more pay because of the work they do is evident. Furthermore, granting them more pay would not only entice security officers to take their careers more seriously, it would encourage them to perform more effectively. An increase in pay would express how much their work is appreciated and needed. If security officers are not offered higher wages, less people will choose the profession of a security officer, in the future.

Which means more facilities and establishments will be less safe easy targets for criminals. Get Access. Good Essays. Read More. Raising Minimum Wage Essay. Should the Minimum Wage be Raised? Pros Of Raising Minimum Wage. Satisfactory Essays.