Shigoto Zukan
日本語

Will AI replace security guards?AI replacement risk 39% and how the work is changing

United States Protective Services Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$38,020
25th–75th pct. $35,210–$46,200
Top pay (est.)
$76,500
Top 10% $58,840
Pay in 5 years
$43,900est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$50,700est.
$43,600–$58,900
Outlook score
41/100
★★☆☆☆ Below average
AI replacement risk
39%
Low
Job growth (10 yr)
+0.9%
156K openings / yr

Will AI replace Security Guards? AI replacement risk

39%
Low
Ranked #363 safest from AI among all U.S. occupations
Very lowLowModerateHighVery high

How AI is changing this job

A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.

AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →

Skills, education and requirements for Security Guards

Key skills

Social Perceptiveness
3.1
Monitoring
3.1
Reading Comprehension
3.0
Speaking
3.0
Persuasion
3.0
Critical Thinking
3.0
Active Listening
3.0
Coordination
3.0

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Public Safety and Security
5.8
Customer and Personal Service
5.8
English Language
5.4
Education and Training
5.2
Computers and Electronics
4.9
Administrative
4.4
Telecommunications
4.2
Administration and Management
4.0

What the work involves

Getting InformationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesWorking with ComputersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicTraining and Teaching Others

Important abilities

Selective AttentionProblem SensitivityOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionFar VisionNear Vision

Education of workers

High school diploma
79%
Some college
10%
Associate's degree
5%
Post-secondary certificate
4%
Bachelor's degree
2%

Training before entry

Up to 1 month
53%
1–3 months
18%
None / short demo
14%
1–2 years
10%
3–6 months
4%

Related work experience

None
37%
6–12 months
20%
1–2 years
17%
Up to 1 month
10%
3–6 months
10%
1–3 months
4%
4–6 years
2%

Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★☆☆☆☆ Easy to enter (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.