Jobs in the private security sector are abundant, numbering over a million nationwide, and are expected to grow steadily. While often sought by those with law enforcement experience or military service, it’s also possible to break into this field with no more than a high school diploma to start.
Private security jobs can be rewarding in many ways. Not only is there the pride of knowing you kept a person or their property safe, but these types of jobs involve elements of the unexpected, worldwide travel opportunities, above-average pay, and the excitement of working with varied and interesting people.
What Is Private Security?
The role of a private security professional can vary widely. In general, private security refers to any job type that involves protecting people, places, or private property. The job description may include patrolling, acting as a bodyguard, monitoring security feeds, installing or overseeing security devices, and assessing areas for threats and escape routes.
The “private” in private security refers to the fact that the employer is a private individual or company and not the federal or local U.S. government. For example, police and military — while they may perform similar duties, they are not considered private security personnel.
Depending on the role and employer, this type of work may be relatively safe, not involve carrying firearms, and require minimal confrontations. Alternatively, it may also be very risky. For example, professionals might be required to wear appropriate protective equipment, such as helmets and Kevlar vests, during extended high-threat situations. These situations will require you to be armed and alert at all times, with the possibility of obstructing or eradicating threats regularly.
Pay often depends on your years of experience and the complexity and risk associated with a particular assignment. Simple jobs with minimal requirements may pay little more than minimum wage, while high-level work can pay over six figures a year.
What is a Private Security Contractor?
A private security contractor is someone who works on a contract basis. This is similar to freelancing in that the worker is generally an independent agent and not considered an employee of the company or individual for which they are providing services. While freelancers often work for several clients at once, contractors typically contract with one client at a time.
When working as a contractor, you generally begin by signing a contract that specifies the length of time, hours, requirements, and pay that will be provided for the specified job. Contractors in the private security industry may even receive additional benefits, such as health insurance or paid time off, depending on the job and whether they contract through an agency.
Certain security agencies work to match contractors with jobs and may offer benefits to the contractors they place. Many private security contractors choose to work through an agency because it makes it easier to find and get placed in contractor positions for which they are qualified.
Top Security Contractor Jobs in the United States
The types of private security contractor jobs available in the U.S. include the following:
Executive protection. This involves providing close protective services for a specific individual or individuals from risk, and can include duties such as countersurveillance, vehicle and facility checks, connecting with local authorities and emergency personnel, travel, and responding rapidly to situations as they arise.
Residential security. Those working in residential security jobs are generally responsible for the security of a residence, including regular patrols, monitoring of security footage, and controlling access to the property.
Armed security. In armed security positions, the contractor is required to carry and maintain a weapon, as well as know how and when to use it if needed. Because of the added risk and need for expertise, these positions often pay more than unarmed positions.
Unarmed security. Unarmed positions do not require the carrying of a firearm. These positions are generally lower risk.
Surveillance. If you work primarily in surveillance or cybersecurity, your duties may include monitoring video or audio feed, installing and maintaining surveillance devices in discrete locations, and assessing the surveillance needs of a person or site.
Security patrol. These roles often involve patrolling an area by foot or vehicle and checking for break-ins, perimeter breaches, or unauthorized individuals.
Security driver. Security contractors in the role of a driver may be responsible for transporting valuables or people securely from one location to another. They must maintain the vehicle, ensure the safety of what they are transporting, and plan routes as necessary to avoid potential problems.
Intelligence analyst. This job involves assessing information about potential threats and physical surroundings and needs to create plans that mitigate potential problems in order to keep an individual or property secure.
Top Security Contractor Jobs Globally
All of the jobs described in the previous section may occur overseas, as well. Some common overseas private security contractor jobs include:
Maritime security. Duties may include maintaining the security of vessels traveling in international waters and protecting them from piracy.
High-threat security. This generally includes providing national security in particularly dangerous overseas locations and requires proficiency with military tactical maneuvers and weapons operations.
Defensive marksman. A marksman may provide services like driving in a motorcade and setting up perimeter security, but their primary specialty usually requires being able to maintain a post as a sniper and be ready to act on any threat.
Paramedic or combat medic. In particularly unsafe overseas locations, clients may contract a security professional with paramedic skills who is expected to be able to act quickly to offer life-saving support in high-stakes environments.
Construction security. Duties associated with this role may include anything from simple patrolling and site security to evaluating the integrity and physical security of construction items and processes.
Explosives detection. This requires being able to identify improvised explosive devices (IEDs) or other explosive devices, determining potential threats, safely handling and disarming explosives and possibly working with an explosives detection canine — which would also include maintaining the health and needs of the canine.
Top Private Military Contractor Jobs
While all of the above-mentioned private security contractor jobs would be a good fit for a military veteran, the positions in this list almost exclusively require military training. They may be an excellent fit for someone after they complete their service. Keep in mind that some of these roles might require combat experience and specific types of weapons handling, while others have less stringent entry barriers.
Most, if not all, require a U.S. citizenship. They also might have completion bonuses and will most likely require travel to war zones or high-risk countries.
Extraction and protective agents. Conflict zones usually erupt without warning, catching civilians off guard. These might be defenseless citizens of the occupied country or expatriates who require safe extraction. Expect these contracts to be part-time, covert operations, with the assets being individuals and families. You should be comfortable performing pre-mission reconnaissance based on self-gathered and local intelligence. A high level of physical fitness, problem-solving skills, and professionalism is also required.
Construction surveillance technician. This job is specifically in charge of overseeing construction sites in high-risk areas. Contractors can expect a range of duties, including conducting security patrols, escorting personnel, monitoring traffic, filing reports, and overseeing parking control. Generally, these responsibilities pertain to law and order and fire safety surveillance.
Electronic security technician. Similarin nature to their civilian counterparts, electronic security technicians differ in that they hold special clearances from the Department of Defense to work on various types of sensitive electronic equipment. They might perform or assist in the following functions: install, repair, overhaul, troubleshoot, modify, construct, and test intrusion detection systems, CCTV cameras, X-ray scanners, ground-based radar, thermal detection systems, etc.
Protective security specialist. While this role might share duties similar to previously mentioned security jobs, a protective security specialist will undoubtedly conduct their work in hazardous areas. They might drive in a motorcade, carry and operate weapons, perform advanced security preparations, and man the security post at the principal’s residence as required.
Operational intelligence analyst. More cerebral in nature, an intelligence analyst will produce objective reports of security risks to customer assets. This is a perfect contract for someone with extensive intelligence experience or a related field. They might assess threats and vulnerabilities to inform, educate, and enable private or public decision-makers.
Armed guard commander. A team of armed guards will sometimes report to an armed guard commander. With better pay than simply a guard, the responsibilities are also multiplied, including managerial duties and directing operations for a business, base, or company on a day-to-day basis.
Explosive detection dog handler. Do you have specific training in explosive ordinance removal and K9 training? Then this job might be for you. As you might expect, you'll be in charge of recognizing IEDs and combustible materials. Employers might require some form of certification and training records of your canine companion.
Linguist. With overseas work being more high-paying and competitive than other contracts, it goes without saying that you're going to experience different cultures with languages you might not understand. That's where this job comes into play. Whether as part of a team or more of a consultant role, military professionals with high proficiencies in Arabic, Farsi, Hebrew, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Eastern European languages are highly sought after.
Armorer. Armorers are comfortable fixing, maintaining, and outfitting various weapons. They might be required to install special equipment including, but not limited to, optics, flashlights, grenade launchers, night vision equipment, and laser sights — among others. A high physical fitness level is also a requirement, with many employers requiring armorers to be able to lift and move equipment weighing more than 50 pounds.
Tips for Becoming an Overseas Security Contractor
The quickest way to land a job in this line of work is to have some armed forces experience, ideally recently, with at least one tour in a conflict zone. Depending on the job itself, it may also be beneficial (or a flat-out requirement) to have a background in Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) or one of the Special Operations Forces — and a squeaky clean record. After passing the proper armed training, physical fitness requirements, security clearances, and a polygraph test, contractors can apply to private security companies such as SOC and Triple Canopy. These private security jobs could see them on rotation for as much as 120-days at a time. Travel and meals are usually per diem, meaning that they're covered for the entire duration of the job.
Many of these positions are defensive in nature and concern the protection of either static or mobile assets in potentially hostile environments. The static missions may refer to completely defenseless personnel or buildings — or some combination of the two — such as workers building roads, bridges, or power plants in war zones. Mobile missions can refer to escorting personnel to a job site or acting as security while moving from point to point. You can expect to sign multiple NDAs.
Contracts may vary in pay scale, overall danger, and travel requirements. Many are team-based, meaning it will be imperative to have good interpersonal skills and a high physical fitness level. Employers may require a demonstration of the necessary skills needed for the role by putting you through several tests. These may include drawing a weapon from concealment and firing at a target, completing a 1.5-mile run, or dragging a 180-pound dummy 100 yards in a short window of time.
Other contracts can be sourced from private companies or citizens; however, these may not have the same level of screening, which can place the individual at considerable risk. Pay is all across the board, with the lowest coming in somewhere between $200 a day and the highest figures over $2,000 a day.
Qualifications Needed to be a Private Security Contractor
Just as the jobs themselves can vary considerably, so can the required qualifications. In general, the more complex the job requirements, and the higher the pay, the greater the required qualifications.
Simple domestic security guard and security officer positions may only require a high school diploma, a background check, and possibly the completion of a brief training program that may be sponsored by the employer. More private military contractor jobs often require prior law enforcement or military experience or the equivalent, in addition to the completion of special training programs, the ability to obtain security clearances, and past experience in similar roles.
Many security specialists in these roles have carried out and left a U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) military branch including the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Air Force. Those who have experience in U.S. military special operations forces are also highly valued by private security services, as well as those who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Ultimately, security contractor opportunities are available for both newcomers to the field and those with significant security experience. No matter which level, most private security companies require you to be a U.S. citizen. If you want to work toward some of the better-paying positions, it would be a good idea to seek specialized training and certificates, especially if you do not have a military or law enforcement background.
Places to Look for Security Contracting Jobs
There are many places to find full-time and part-time private security contractor jobs. You can check local newspaper listings and job boards or contact places that might have security needs. You might also have luck looking directly at well-known private military companies that hire private security contractors, such as:
Often, those seeking these types of jobs have the best luck by connecting with a security agency or using job search websites like Joblist — both of which tend to be more efficient since you can find multiple job listings for several potential clients in one place and get matched based on your skills and interests
Application Process: What to Expect
The first step in applying usually requires submitting your resume and background information. You want to make sure your resume is streamlined and clearly states your most relevant qualifications in a way that makes you stand out as a candidate.
If a prospective client likes your resume, they may contact you for an interview or additional materials. Depending on the position, you may be asked to answer short essay questions, pass a physical fitness assessment, supply references, pass a background check or security clearance, and supply official copies of any certificates or military discharge forms.
Find a Private Security Contractor Job Today
If you’re ready to find and apply for a full-time or part-time private security contractor jobs in the U.S. and overseas today, Joblist can help. Not only do we provide access to multiple job opportunities with a simple search, but we also aim to personalize your search and give you a list of job titles and descriptions ranked based on relevance as specified by you.
By answering just a few short questions, we’ll create a list of personalized job alerts that you can customize and even save for later if you’re not quite ready to apply. The Joblist blog is also filled with tips and tricks to help you maximize your hiring potential along the way.
