Security Guards Employment & Job Outlook in Virginia (2024)

Virginia employs 33,600 Security Guards professionals, above the national average concentration.

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • Virginia employment outlook • Updated 2026-04-06

Total Employed
33,600
professionals
Jobs per 1,000
33.6
workers
Location Quotient
1.42
vs national avg
Average Salary
$43K
annual

High Demand in Virginia

The location quotient (LQ) of 1.42 indicates that Virginia 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.

Virginia vs National Average

Total Employed
33,600
National: 1,202,960
2.8% of national
Jobs per 1,000
33.6
National: 23.59
+42.4%
Average Salary
$43K
National: $39K
+10.7%

Top States by Security Guards Employment

#1
183,620
183,620
employed
#2
121,920
121,920
employed
#3
98,660
98,660
employed
#4
91,200
91,200
employed
#5
51,340
51,340
employed
#6
43,440
43,440
employed
#7
37,910
37,910
employed
#8
35,910
35,910
employed
#9
34,490
34,490
employed
#10
33,600
33,600
employed

What Does a Security Guards Earn in Virginia?

The average annual salary for a Security Guards in Virginia is $43,960. For a detailed breakdown by percentile, entry-level, median, and senior salaries, see the comprehensive salary guide below.

View full salary breakdown →

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many Security Guards jobs are there in Virginia?

Virginia employs approximately 33,600 Security Guards professionals (2024 BLS data). This ranks Virginia among the top states nationwide.

Is Security Guards in demand in Virginia?

Yes — Virginia has above-average concentration of Security Guards jobs (LQ: 1.42). A Location Quotient above 1.0 indicates higher-than-average demand.

What is the average salary for Security Guards in Virginia?

The average (mean) salary for Security Guards in Virginia is $43960/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 183,620 jobs.

Related Pages

Data Source

Employment and location quotient data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024. This data reflects total employment, jobs per 1,000 workers, location quotient, and average salary for Security Guards (SOC 339032) in Virginia.

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