Article Originally Published Here.
A series on working conditions in the private-sector security industry.
Security guards are essential workers who ensure public safety in buildings, hospitals, and transportation hubs—but their compensation and working conditions do not reflect their important role. Many security guards earn low wages, face elevated risks of injury and violence, and experience high levels of job turnover across the industry. The workforce is disproportionately male, and many of them are immigrants and people of color. Security guards throughout the country are working to improve their wages and their jobs, both through collective bargaining and, in some places, legislation.
This series examines wages, job quality, and workforce characteristics in the private security industry across multiple geographies—including New York, Baltimore, Washington State, and California—drawing on detailed data analysis to highlight patterns and policy implications. A comprehensive national report will be released later this year.
- Demographic and Job Characteristics of the Security Guard Workforce in California
- Demographic and Job Characteristics of the Security Guard Workforce in Seattle and Washington
- Demographic and Job Characteristics of Baltimore’s Security Guard Workforce
- Demographic and Job Characteristics of NYC’s Security Guard Workforce
