Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links marked with (Ad). If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Security Guards Employment & Job Outlook in California (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

California employs 199,480 Security Guards professionals, above the national average concentration.

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • California employment outlook • Updated 2026-05-19

Total Employed
199,480
professionals
Jobs per 1,000
199.48
workers
Location Quotient
7.93
vs national avg
Average Salary
$44K
annual

High Demand in California

The location quotient (LQ) of 7.93 indicates that California has a higher-than-average concentration of Security Guards professionals. This means the job is in high demand relative to other states, suggesting strong local job market opportunities.

Note: Location Quotient (LQ) is the ratio of the percentage of workers in an occupation in a given area to the percentage in that occupation nationwide. An LQ > 1.0 means above-average concentration; < 1.0 means below-average.

California vs National Average

Total Employed
199,480
National: 1,283,480
15.5% of national
Jobs per 1,000
199.48
National: 25.17
+692.5%
Average Salary
$44K
National: $42K
+5.6%

Top States by Security Guards Employment

#1
199,480
199,480
employed
#2
134,700
134,700
employed
#3
106,210
106,210
employed
#4
95,370
95,370
employed
#5
53,830
53,830
employed
#6
43,610
43,610
employed
#7
41,540
41,540
employed
#8
36,210
36,210
employed
#9
34,870
34,870
employed
#10
34,450
34,450
employed

What Does a Security Guards Earn in California?

The average annual salary for a Security Guards in California is $44,920. For a detailed breakdown by percentile, entry-level, median, and senior salaries, see the comprehensive salary guide below.

View full salary breakdown →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Security Guards jobs are there in California?

California employs approximately 199,480 Security Guards professionals (2025 BLS data). This ranks California among the top states nationwide.

Is Security Guards in demand in California?

Yes — California has above-average concentration of Security Guards jobs (LQ: 7.93). A Location Quotient above 1.0 indicates higher-than-average demand.

What is the average salary for Security Guards in California?

The average (mean) salary for Security Guards in California is $44920/year. See our detailed salary page for percentile breakdowns.

What is a Location Quotient (LQ)?

Location Quotient measures how concentrated an occupation is in a state compared to the national average. LQ > 1.0 means the state has more of that job proportionally. LQ > 1.2 indicates strong demand.

Which states employ the most Security Guards professionals?

The top state for Security Guards employment is California with 199,480 jobs.

Find Your Next Opportunity

Related Pages

Top Cities in California

Explore cost of living, median household income, and demographics for California's largest cities.

Top Colleges in California

Compare tuition, admissions, and graduate outcomes at California's leading institutions.

Security Guards Employment in Other States

Compare Security Guards labor-market data (jobs, location quotient, salary) across the top-employing states.

All Security Guards & California Resources

Drill deeper into Security Guards pay, hiring, and education data for California.

Data Source

Employment and location quotient data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025. This data reflects total employment, jobs per 1,000 workers, location quotient, and average salary for Security Guards (SOC 339032) in California.

Get Monthly Salary Insights & Career Data

Free data-driven career updates — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Join career-minded Americans who use data to make smarter decisions. Privacy Policy