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Security guard

Also called stadium guard, security chief, cemetery guard

Security guards observe, detect irregularities and protect people, buildings and assets. They maintain security at all times by patrolling designated property areas, controlling access at entrances, watching alarm and video recording systems, asking suspicious individuals for identification and reporting infractions and law breaching activities.

Will there be jobs?Limited prospects15 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Protective services workersWhat does it pay?Below averageFrom about €700 (Bulgaria) to €5,400 (Belgium) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Protective services workersWhat do I need to study?Upper secondary or vocational6 in 10 finished upper secondary or vocational training. 4 in 10 train through vocational routes.Protective services workersWill AI change it?Very littleLevel 1 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Security guards · ILO

What you'd do

Security guards · ILO
  • Patrolling premises and checking doors, windows and gates to prevent and detect signs of unauthorised entry
  • Controlling access to establishments, monitoring and authorizing the entrance or departure of employees and visitors, checking identification and issuing security passes
  • Circulating among visitors, patrons, or employees to preserve order, protect property from theft or vandalism and enforce the regulations of the establishment
  • Responding to alarms, investigating disturbances and contacting superiors, police or fire fighters as appropriate
  • Performing security checks of passengers and luggage at airports
  • Picking up and ensuring the safe delivery of cash and valuables to banks, automated teller machines and retail establishments
Deal with aggressive behaviourComply with the principles of self-defencePractice vigilanceDetain offendersRestrain individuals+ 14 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors and outdoors
  • A mix of sitting and standing
  • Constant contact with people, including the public
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Usually 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines now and then
  • Very repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Security Guards"

Will there be jobs?

Limited prospects

Fewer jobs than in most work will need filling by 2035.

People working as protective services workers in the EU
3.49m3.69m3.45m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
786,000 replacing leavers 235,000 jobs disappear
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Protective services workers15
All jobs29
Right now
6 of 27 countries report a shortage of security guards, 11 a surplus.
Security guards · EURES

What does it pay?

Below average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €700 a month (Bulgaria) to €5,400 (Belgium), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among service and sales workers in the EU, women earn 3% less per hour than men. Service and sales workers · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Upper secondary or vocational

Upper secondary or vocational training in protection of persons and property is the usual route.

Highest qualification of protective services workers (EU, 2025)
Degree 24%Vocational 42%General secondary 18%Basic schooling 16%
Fields that teach it
Protection of persons and property · Law
Vocational route, EU
4 in 10 trainees in this field

Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Very little

AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.20 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 6 tasks
Controlling access to establishments, monitoring and authorizing the entrance or departure of employees and visitors, checking identification and issuing security passes0.36
Responding to alarms, investigating disturbances and contacting superiors, police or fire fighters as appropriate0.23
Performing security checks of passengers and luggage at airports0.17
Patrolling premises and checking doors, windows and gates to prevent and detect signs of unauthorised entry0.16
Picking up and ensuring the safe delivery of cash and valuables to banks, automated teller machines and retail establishments0.15
Circulating among visitors, patrons, or employees to preserve order, protect property from theft or vandalism and enforce the regulations of the establishment0.13

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for security guards. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).