Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Using computers, software, digital systems, and technology to complete work and solve problems.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Security guards and gambling surveillance officers typically need a high school diploma. Gambling surveillance officers may also need experience with security and video surveillance, depending on their work assignment. Most states require guards to be licensed by the state, especially if they carry a firearm. PayThe median annual wage for gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators was $43,370 in May 2025.The median annual wage for security guards was $38,020 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of security guards and gambling surveillance officers is projected to grow 1 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 157,200 openings for security guards and gambling surveillance officers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for security guards and gambling surveillance officers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of security guards and gambling surveillance officers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about security guards and gambling surveillance officers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators was $43,370 in May 2025.The median annual wage for security guards was $38,020 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of security guards and gambling surveillance officers is projected to grow 1 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 157,200 openings for security guards and gambling surveillance officers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for security guards and gambling surveillance officers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of security guards and gambling surveillance officers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about security guards and gambling surveillance officers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of security guards and gambling surveillance officers is projected to grow 1 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 157,200 openings for security guards and gambling surveillance officers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for security guards and gambling surveillance officers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of security guards and gambling surveillance officers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about security guards and gambling surveillance officers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Security guards and gambling surveillance officers protect property from illegal activity.
Work Environment
Security guards work in a variety of places, including industrial settings, retail stores, and office buildings. Gambling surveillance officers work mostly in casinos. Because many buildings and casinos are open 24 hours a day, security guards and officers often must work around the clock.
How to Become a Security Guard or Gambling Surveillance Officer
Security guards and gambling surveillance officers typically need a high school diploma. Gambling surveillance officers may also need experience with security and video surveillance, depending on their work assignment. Most states require guards to be licensed by the state, especially if they carry a firearm.
Pay
The median annual wage for gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators was $43,370 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for security guards was $38,020 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of security guards and gambling surveillance officers is projected to grow 1 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations.
Despite limited employment growth, about 157,200 openings for security guards and gambling surveillance officers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for security guards and gambling surveillance officers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of security guards and gambling surveillance officers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about security guards and gambling surveillance officers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Security guards work in a variety of places, including industrial settings, retail stores, and office buildings. Gambling surveillance officers work mostly in casinos. Because many buildings and casinos are open 24 hours a day, security guards and officers often must work around the clock.
How to Become a Security Guard or Gambling Surveillance Officer
Security guards and gambling surveillance officers typically need a high school diploma. Gambling surveillance officers may also need experience with security and video surveillance, depending on their work assignment. Most states require guards to be licensed by the state, especially if they carry a firearm.
Pay
The median annual wage for gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators was $43,370 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for security guards was $38,020 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of security guards and gambling surveillance officers is projected to grow 1 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations.
Despite limited employment growth, about 157,200 openings for security guards and gambling surveillance officers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for security guards and gambling surveillance officers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of security guards and gambling surveillance officers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about security guards and gambling surveillance officers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for security guards and gambling surveillance officers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of security guards and gambling surveillance officers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about security guards and gambling surveillance officers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about security guards and gambling surveillance officers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Explore Training Options
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.