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Local security industry report
Security work in
California
Local pay, training and the steps towards your next role.
Research checked
The standard California agency-guard route is BSIS Security Guard Registration. Applicants must be at least 18 and pass DOJ/FBI background checks. Compare California pay, the local training route and the size of the guarding-and-patrol workplace base below. Search employer portals by your city to find a suitable site and shift.
Your local training routeThe industry at a glance
Guarding and patrol workplaces
2,173employer establishmentsReference period: 2023
California only. NAICS 561612, Security Guards and Patrol Services, all legal forms (LFO -), FIPS 06. One company can operate multiple workplaces. Businesses without employees and in-house security teams in other industries are outside this industry count.
U.S. Census Bureau: County Business Patterns 2023, state dataMedian hourly security-guard pay
20.79USD per hourReference period: May 2025
California: statewide Security Guards occupation, SOC 33-9032, across industries and experience levels. Gross pay before deductions; local vacancies can pay differently.
Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, published through O*NET OnLineMedian annual security-guard pay
43,240USD per yearReference period: May 2025
California: statewide Security Guards occupation, SOC 33-9032, across industries and experience levels. Gross pay before deductions; local vacancies can pay differently. Annual pay is an annualised estimate.
Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, published through O*NET OnLineMonthly equivalent of annual median
3,603.33USD per monthReference period: May 2025
California: calculated as the published annual median divided by 12. This planning estimate assumes the annualised wage basis and is gross, before tax and deductions. Actual hours and monthly earnings vary.
Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, published through O*NET OnLineDistinct security companies
No verified figureReference period: Not verified
A current unique-company total for California has not been verified. The workplace figure counts employer establishments and can include multiple locations of the same business.
U.S. Census Bureau: County Business Patterns 2023, state dataHow to read this report
Industry counts and wages describe different populations. The business figure counts employer establishments where available. Wages describe an occupation across employers. Each monthly illustration shows its calculation and assumptions.
Your local training route
Complete three hours of Power to Arrest and five hours of Appropriate Use of Force. From January 1, 2026, complete the entire initial training with one provider/instructor within six months before applying.
Official authority and local guidance
Bureau of Security and Investigative ServicesLicensing guidance checked
Training providers to explore
Checked examples for this region. Confirm course approval, dates and the total price before enrolling.
Security Training Center, Huntington Beach
Course: California guard-card training
Duration: Initial eight-hour course and 40-hour package are listed.
Published course price: Request the current total price, including any exam charges.
Sources & research notes
Security Training Center lists classroom training in Huntington Beach for California unarmed guard applicants, including the initial eight-hour Power to Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force course and a 40-hour training package. Its official DCA facility record shows TFF 1616 as current. Confirm class dates, total charges and the single-instructor entry course before booking. The retrieved DCA record was dated 2026-08-24; recheck its latest status before enrolling. Directory evidence checked 2026-09-16.
Employers to explore
These official recruitment portals let you search by town or region. Check that an employer has a suitable local vacancy before applying. The list is unranked.
Allied Universal
National recruitment directory. Select California or your town to check availability. A local vacancy or employer presence has not been confirmed in this report.
Search these job titles
- Security Officer
- Security Officer / Access Control
- Event Security
Online applications and local branch applications are available. The recruitment team may invite applicants to assessments, telephone screening or interviews.
Application route
- Choose a local opening and select Apply Now.
- Create an email-based profile and complete the application.
- Check email or text for next steps.
Securitas USA
National recruitment directory. Select California or your town to check availability. A local vacancy or employer presence has not been confirmed in this report.
Search these job titles
- Security Officer
- Security Guard
The published recruitment process includes an online application, interviews and background checks. Read each vacancy for site and state requirements.
Application route
- Open Explore Job Opportunities.
- Select the location and vacancy.
- Submit the application and follow interview instructions.
GardaWorld Security USA
National recruitment directory. Select California or your town to check availability. A local vacancy or employer presence has not been confirmed in this report.
Search these job titles
- Concierge Security Officer
- Response Security Officer
- Surveillance Security Officer
Its US search can filter location, job family and category, including officer, supervisor and flexible assignments.
Application route
- Search by city, state or ZIP.
- Read the duties and requirements.
- Select View Details & Apply and follow the application.
Prosegur USA
National recruitment directory. Select California or your town to check availability. A local vacancy or employer presence has not been confirmed in this report.
Search these job titles
- Unarmed Security Officer
- Armed Security Officer
- Security Operations Center Officer
The US careers page links directly to Prosegur’s applicant system. Its listings cover different sites and armed or unarmed roles.
Application route
- Open Explore Career Opportunities.
- Choose a job title and location.
- Review the requirements and use the application option.
How hiring works
Use this as a starting point. Requirements depend on the role, employer and work location. Check the current vacancy and regulator before applying or paying for training.
Become a security guardTake initial training
Use an authorized provider and complete the required in-person components.
View sourceFinish skills training
Complete 16 additional hours within 30 days of initial registration and another 16 within six months of registration. Retain your certificates.
View source
Sources & research notes
- Licensing guidance was last checked on 2026-09-16. Check the linked authority for current eligibility, forms and fees.
- The workplace count is a 2023 business-statistics snapshot. It measures establishments in the guarding and patrol industry; the wage figures measure a wider occupation across industries.
- Recruitment links are unranked national search routes. Confirm local vacancies, pay, shifts and employer presence on the official vacancy page.
- Training examples come from the existing checked directory. Availability, tuition and licence status require confirmation before payment.
External sources may be in a different language.
- BSIS security guard registration
- BSIS training regulation
- BSIS January 2026 training change
- Current BSIS registration application
- Bureau of Security and Investigative Services
- U.S. Census Bureau: County Business Patterns 2023, state data
- Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, published through O*NET OnLine
- Allied Universal recruitment
- Securitas USA recruitment
- GardaWorld Security USA recruitment
- Prosegur USA recruitment
- Security Training Center, Huntington Beach course information
Turn your research into a next step.
Check the local entry route, then compare vacancies and employer requirements.