Woman in an office with a handheld radio and telephone nearby

Security guards and related security service occupations

(NOC 6541)
Annual Earnings
$37,541
Typical Education Background
Diploma/Certificate Excluding Apprenticeship
Job Openings
(2022-2032)
5,170

Career Overview

This group includes security guards and other related workers who protect property against theft and vandalism, control access to establishments, maintain order, and enforce regulations at public events and within establishments, conduct private investigations for clients or employers and provide other protective services not elsewhere classified.

People in these occupations:

  • Work for public and private security agencies, retail stores, transportation facilities, residential complexes, educational, financial and health institutions, industrial establishments, cultural establishments and organizations throughout the private and public sector
  • May be self employed
  • Should have strong observation and communication skills, the ability to maintain self control and the ability to make quick decisions during emergency situations
  • Should also be comfortable working alone and must be able to stick to procedures and set routines
  • Must act in a disciplined, honest and ethical manner

 

Duties

Security guards:

  • Control access to establishments,
  • Operate security control-room equipment
  • Patrol assigned areas to guard against theft, vandalism and fire,
  • Enforce regulations to maintain order and resolve conflicts
  • Monitor establishment activities
  • Ensure safety and emergency procedures are followed
  • Issue passes and direct visitors to appropriate areas,
  • Check age identification of patrons,
  • Perform security checks of passengers and luggage at airports.

Armoured car guards:

  • Drive and guard armoured trucks,
  • Pick-up and deliver cash and valuables to banks, automated teller machines and retail establishments.

Corporate security officers:

  • Investigate unlawful acts of employees or patrons of establishments
  • Recommend security systems such as electronic detection devices and access devices.

Private investigators:

  • Conduct investigations to locate missing persons
  • Obtain information for use in civil and criminal litigation matters or for other purposes
  • May also conduct polygraph tests (integrity surveys) for clients.

Retail loss prevention officers:

  • Prevent and detect shoplifting and theft in retail establishments.

 

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$37,541

Provincial Hourly Rate

High$30.00/hr
Median$18.00/hr
Low$15.65/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2022 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

14,700

% Employed Full Time

41%
Source: 2016 Census

The majority of security guards work full time 40 hours per week, however, some workers are only employed part of the year since many job opportunities are seasonal.

Many of the facilities that security guards monitor require supervision 24 hours a day year round so workers are often required to work shifts that include evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.

Security guards who watch site activity via security cameras spend a large portion of their day looking at monitors, which may result in eye strain and cause fatigue.

These workers may have to travel when monitoring multiple or large sites, guarding items in transit or working in the transportation industry.

Security guards take leadership roles in emergency situations and may have to handle hostile people, which can sometimes make for a stressful work environment.

Career Pathways

Security guards with a lot of experience may move into supervisory positions in the occupation or into corporate security management. Supervisory courses are offered to those who want to advance their career.

With additional training and education, security guards may move into law enforcement careers. For example, they may become police officers, corrections officers or sheriffs.

Commissionaires have an established system for moving up, with four levels of supervisor positions and three levels of management positions they can compete for.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Realistic
Realistic
Conventional
Conventional
Enterprising
Enterprising

Job Titles

ATM (automatic teller machine) guard
Bodyguard (except police)
Bouncer - security
Business establishment investigator
Commissionaire
Custodian, vault
Escort - security services
Gate attendant / security guard
Guard, airport security
Guard, school crossing
House detective / store detective
Inspector, airport - carry-on baggage
Investigator, alarm - residence / business
Investigator, security - business
Mystery shopper
Night guard
Officer, loss / theft prevention
Officer, security investigation
Patrol officer - security
Polygraphist / polygraph examiner
Private detective / investigator
Surveillance operator - casino

Education, Training and Skills

In B.C., security guards do not need secondary school graduation, however, it is preferred. Other requirements include:

  • Licensing for all security companies and their employees under the new Security Services Act, which replaces the Private Investigator and Security Agencies Act
  • Completion of the Basic Security Training (BST) course with a grade of 60 per cent or higher on the final exam for each course

The course is offered through approved institutions and security companies. Training requirements beyond BST vary depending on where security guards work and include:

  • Firearms training for armoured car guards
  • Gaming security officer training program offered by the Justice Institute of BC for casino/gaming security guards
  • A grade of 75 per cent or higher on the BST exam and several other courses for commissionaires

Individual security companies often provide additional in-house training.

The new Security Services Act will require bouncers, armoured car personnel, in-house security guards, bodyguards and members of the Corps of Commissionaires to be licensed and undergo a criminal background check. Other requirements for security guards may include:

  • Level one industry first aid
  • A valid driver's license
  • A clean criminal record.
  • Basic writing and speaking skills
  • Basic computer skills
  • Advanced courses in investigation, writing, interviewing, decision making and ethics

Those who are certified for an occupation by a regulator elsewhere in Canada can apply for the same certification from the regulator in B.C. Under the terms of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), most applicants who are transferring their credentials from elsewhere in Canada will not be required to complete additional training or testing. However, the B.C. regulator may ask applicants to provide further information such as a letter of good standing, references, or criminal record check.

For those who trained outside of Canada and never received certification from any Canadian jurisdiction, a full assessment is likely needed. Most occupational regulators have a process for assessment and recognize internationally trained applicants.

Contact the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General: Security Services for details on how to apply for certification in B.C.

For information about labour mobility in Canada, visit www.workersmobility.ca.

View a list of Professional Regulatory Authorities in B.C.

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

  • Legal Assistant Related
  • Criminology/Criminal Justice
EducationPlannerBC Logo
Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

64%
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

63%
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

61%
Monitoring

Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

61%
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

57%
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

56%
Judgment and Decision-Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

54%
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

51%
Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

51%
Active Learning

Understanding how new information could be used to solve current and future problems in making decisions.

51%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

14,700
Source: 2016 Census

Employment by Region

Map of BC Map of Cariboo region Map of Kootenay region Map of Mainland/Southwest region Map of North Coast and Nechako region Map of Northeast region Map of Thompson-Okanagan region Map of Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Map label line
Map label line
Map label line
Map label line
Map label line
Map label line
Map label line
Region Employment (2022) % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 460 2.9%
Kootenay 200 1.3%
Mainland/Southwest 11,000 72.1%
North Coast and Nechako 190 1.9%
Northeast 270 1.4%
Thompson-Okanagan 1,110 7.4%
Vancouver Island/Coast 2,240 13.2%
Source: 2016 Census and B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2022-2032)

5,170
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2022-2032)

Map of BC Map of Cariboo region Map of Kootenay region Map of Mainland/Southwest region Map of North Coast and Nechako region Map of Northeast region Map of Thompson-Okanagan region Map of Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Map label line
Map label line
Map label line
Map label line
Map label line
Map label line
Map label line
Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo 120 0.6%
Kootenay 80 1.0%
Mainland/Southwest 3,230 0.9%
North Coast and Nechako 80 1.5%
Northeast 30 0.0%
Thompson-Okanagan 540 2.3%
Vancouver Island/Coast 1,080 2.1%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2022-2032)
Information, Culture and Recreation57,300
Retail Trade115,500
Public Administration49,200
Transportation and Warehousing53,400
Accommodation and Food Services60,200
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: 2016 Census and B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Insights from Industry

Security guards are needed to guard construction sites from theft and vandalism. As well, they are needed to protect most commercial and some residential buildings once construction is completed. Since many new graduates quickly move to higher paying jobs outside of the industry, there is currently a shortage of workers in B.C.

There will be growing demand for people with advanced security solutions training and threat/risk assessment skills. Those with previous experience working as security guards, in law enforcement or in the military will have a greater chance of finding work.

Most work opportunities will continue to be in urban centres such as the Lower Mainland and Southern Vancouver Island regions where there are more facilities that require monitoring. There may be higher growth in any port area due to the Transport Canada changes to the Marine Security Act and enforcement.

Increasingly, security professionals are using computers and technological devices in their daily work, so workers must be comfortable using this equipment.. As the use of closed circuit television cameras increases, those who can use monitoring equipment and software will have more job opportunities. However, increased use of closed circuit television monitoring may reduce the number of patrolling security guards needed.

Resources