GLOBAL SECURITY GROUP INTLFL Security Statistics 2026
Licensed, insured and local — professional security services in Southwest Florida, staffed by trained Global Security officers.
Quick answer: Florida’s private security industry enters 2026 on strong demand: about 1.3 million security guard jobs nationally at a $38,050 median wage (BLS OOH, 2025), a state population up roughly 1.87 million residents since 2020 (U.S. Census Bureau estimates via FRED), and Chapter 493 licensing that keeps training standards high. Every statistic below is labeled with its source and year.
Key Takeaways
- 1,304,000 U.S. security guard jobs; median pay $38,050/yr ($18.29/hr) — BLS OOH, 2025.
- About 157,200 openings projected per year over 2025–2035, mostly replacement demand — BLS.
- Florida population 23.46M in 2025, up ~1.87M since 2020 (~8.7%) — Census estimates via FRED.
- Class G armed training: 28 hours, max 20 online, 8 in-person range — Florida Statutes 493.6105.
Florida security guard industry statistics for 2026: the numbers behind the demand
Florida’s private security industry entered 2026 with strong fundamentals: more than 1.3 million security guard jobs nationwide, a Florida population that has grown by nearly two million people since 2020, and a licensing pipeline defined by state-mandated training. Below are 22 verifiable statistics about the security industry, Florida’s growth and the state’s licensing requirements — each with its source — plus what they mean for businesses hiring guards and officers building careers. Call 239.217.0581 to talk through what these numbers mean for your property.
U.S. security guard employment and pay (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
| # | Statistic | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Security guards held about 1,304,000 jobs in the United States in 2025. | BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025 |
| 2 | Median pay for security guards was $38,050 per year in 2025. | BLS OOH, 2025 |
| 3 | That median equals $18.29 per hour. | BLS OOH, 2025 |
| 4 | Projected employment growth is 1% from 2025 to 2035 (slower than average) — steady, replacement-driven demand. | BLS OOH, 2025–35 projections |
| 5 | Employment change over that decade is projected at +11,200 jobs. | BLS OOH |
| 6 | About 157,200 openings for security guards and gambling surveillance officers are projected each year, on average, over the decade — mostly replacement churn. | BLS OOH |
| 7 | Typical entry-level education is a high school diploma or equivalent — the industry is licensure-driven, not degree-driven. | FL licensing path; BLS OOH |
| 8 | 58% of security guards work for investigation, guard and armored car services companies. | BLS OOH, largest employers |
| 9 | 7% work in educational services (state, local and private). | BLS OOH |
| 10 | 6% work in healthcare and social assistance. | BLS OOH |
| 11 | 5% work in retail trade. | BLS OOH |
| 12 | Officers usually work rotating shifts of about 8 hours, night shifts are common, and most work full time. | BLS OOH, work environment |
| 13 | Seasonal security work rises during the holidays and warmer summer months — a pattern Florida operators know well. | BLS OOH |
| 14 | Gambling surveillance officers and investigators held about 9,800 jobs in 2025 — the specialized end of the protective-service family. | BLS OOH |
Florida population growth (U.S. Census Bureau estimates via FRED)
| # | Statistic | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Florida’s population reached about 23.46 million residents in 2025. | U.S. Census Bureau population estimates, series FLPOP (FRED) |
| 16 | Florida grew by roughly 1.87 million people since 2020 — from 21.59M to 23.46M. | Census estimates via FRED |
| 17 | That five-year expansion is about 8.7% growth — one of the fastest among large states. | Derived from Census estimates via FRED |
| 18 | Year-by-year growth: 22.41M (2022). | Census estimates via FRED |
| 19 | 22.93M (2023) — and the growth is exactly the demand driver for gated communities, event venues and construction sites. | Census estimates via FRED |
| 20 | 23.27M (2024) — every new resident, community and venue is a new access point to secure. | Census estimates via FRED |
Florida licensing requirements (Florida Statutes Chapter 493)
| # | Statistic | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Class G (armed) applicants must complete 28 hours of range and classroom firearms training. | Florida Statutes 493.6105(5) |
| 22 | Of those 28 hours, no more than 20 may be online and 8 must be in-person range training covering safe handling and storage. | Florida Statutes 493.6105(5) |
| 23 | Class G firearms training must be taught by Class “K” licensees (certified instructors). | Florida Statutes 493.6105(5) |
| 24 | Florida’s entire private security industry — from gate guards to nightclub and venue security — is governed by Chapter 493, administered by the FDACS Division of Licensing. | Florida Statutes Chapter 493 |
What these numbers mean for Florida businesses
Three takeaways from the data. First, demand is structural, not cyclical: a replacement-driven job market with 157,200 annual openings nationally means guards are always in motion — property managers need a staffing partner with a real roster, not a wish list. Second, Florida’s growth compounds the pressure: nearly two million new residents since 2020 means new communities, new venues and new construction sites — every one of them needs access control, from event security to fire watch. Third, licensing is the quality floor: the state’s training mandates are why licensed, verified officers cost what they cost — and why unlicensed “cheap” coverage is a liability, not a bargain.
For officers, the math points the same direction: a licensure-driven industry with high-school-level entry, steady replacement demand and clear advancement paths — from Class D to Class G to supervision. Our guide to getting your Florida D license and our careers page map the whole route.
How Global Security reads the 2026 market
We plan staffing around the patterns these statistics describe: seasonal event surges in tourist months, gate staffing that scales with community growth, fire watch demand during storm season, and continuous recruitment to keep posts covered even when other companies shortchange clients. If you’re budgeting for 2026, our guide on security guard costs in Florida pairs with the numbers above to help you plan realistically. For a conversation about your specific property, contact us or call 239.217.0581 — we serve Fort Myers, Sarasota, Orlando, Miami and clients nationwide.
Frequently asked questions about Florida security industry statistics
How many security guards work in the United States?
About 1,304,000 people held security guard jobs in 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook.
What do security guards earn in 2026?
The national median pay for security guards was $38,050 per year ($18.29 per hour) in the BLS’s most recent figures. Actual pay varies by state, license class, post type and shift.
Is the security industry growing in Florida?
Florida keeps adding residents — about 1.87 million since 2020 per Census estimates — and every new community, venue and construction project increases demand for licensed private security. Nationally the BLS projects modest growth with heavy replacement demand.
How many security job openings are there each year?
The BLS projects about 157,200 openings per year for security guards and gambling surveillance officers, on average, over the 2025–2035 decade.
What training does Florida require for armed guards?
Class G applicants must complete 28 hours of range and classroom firearms training — no more than 20 hours online and 8 hours in-person on the range — taught by a Class K licensee, per Florida Statutes 493.6105.
Related guides and services
Sources
Global Security — Global Security Group International
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