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Security Guards Employment & Job Outlook in Virginia (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

Virginia employs 34,870 Security Guards professionals, above the national average concentration.

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

Total Employed
34,870
professionals
Jobs per 1,000
34.87
workers
Location Quotient
1.39
vs national avg
Average Salary
$47K
annual

High Demand in Virginia

The location quotient (LQ) of 1.39 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
34,870
National: 1,283,480
2.7% of national
Jobs per 1,000
34.87
National: 25.17
+38.5%
Average Salary
$47K
National: $42K
+10.7%

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 Virginia?

The average annual salary for a Security Guards in Virginia is $47,070. 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 Virginia?

Virginia employs approximately 34,870 Security Guards professionals (2025 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: 1.39). 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 $47070/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 Virginia

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

Top Colleges in Virginia

Compare tuition, admissions, and graduate outcomes at Virginia'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 & Virginia Resources

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

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 Virginia.

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