Why do security jobs pay so little?

Security officers and Police have the biggest risk, and lowest pay for what they do. It's an unknown factor.

A Security Company operates on what is called "Accounts" - An account is the client that you are working for. In most cases, the security company will bid with the Account to earn their contract (could be one, or two years). Since the account is technically the business owner, they're going to opt for the least expensive product. The security companies will then bid against each other until the Account is retained. When this happens, the account is then billed monthly. Your wage, as a security officer comes out of that bill, which will also determine over-time, hours available, insurances, ect. However, when the account comes up for bid again, that's where your job security comes to question. If the price is lower than last years account bill, -your wage then gets lowered to fit into the "budget".

Social Security is not intended to give you all the financial help you need. Many people who worked also had retirement accounts and pensions. If you didnt, that is unfortunate. If your SS is below federal poverty level, you may qualify for SSI in addition. You may also qualify for full Medicaid and if so, your state will pay your Medicare Part B. I have only my SS to live on. I get some food stamps, get most of food from food pantries and a local senior food program. I dont spend money on entertainment at all. To make money I have been selling my possessions on Ebay for 10 years and now that is over. I tried for a long time to find a job but couldnt. The max social security retirement is around $2300. Mine is far from that.

The industry at least in Florida is nothing but cut throat being about 300 firms are licensed in this state and they all are trying to get contracts. The problem is that due to this companies themselves have degraded what security guard work was meant to be in regards to keeping an eye on property and people. Many in fact from around the country come to Florida for its "right-to-work-or-be-fired" work theme. In Florida the pay is peckish if not absurd with little or no benefits to speak of. Traditional guard work is being tainted with extra none related work i.e. the politically correct word "valued added services" in order to get the client to sign off. I see it everywhere here security guards doing things not related to the job at all from cleaning out fleet vehicles (they are supposed to be watching over) to delivering mail and packages (so who s watching the lobby or front door?) and the list goes on. Why hire a firm that pays its people 12.00 and hour that does nothing but security when you can hire the other firm that pays 9.25 and hour and get the guards to do other stuff. An unwritten rule here seems to be "hey-work-or-go-someplace-else" attitude and they can do that. It seems to be also an acceptation that the rotating door of turn around is an expected. I worked for G4S aka Wackenhut for 26 years and made very good money but when the firm opened a few offices in Florida I decided to follow. That was a mistake and now I m making 10.25 and doing things I never did before. I plan on moving back once things settle or go back to being a bagger at Publix at least there respect was constant and you where treated like a person. These companies are the very term of cheap labor here in because Florida is the cheap labor state and I fear is becoming nation wide for an industry that should be what it was meant to be security not armed paperboy slash mail carrier and custodian. JMHO peeps..watch yours butts out there. Neo

Mainly because the job is not considered dangerous or taxing nor needing skills. Old security used to work at night when the company was closed so it was just check out the dark building. Now security is responsible for a lot more. You will find that some security positions pay a lot better than others. For example the ones at a local brewery pay a lot more than the exact same security position at another company (same security company). Both are responsible for checking trucks and stuff.

So check with other security companies and positions as I've found differences in job details, pay levels and shifts.

Because security guards are worthless.

The hiring firms/company knows it, so does the guard.

If they were worth anything they'd tell the firms / companies to eat a dick with that low insulting pay.

These fools will even pay for classes and licences out of their pocket lol. So, they are worthless. Companies hire guards not to keep theft down, they hire these fools to save money on insurance. That is goal one, avoiding shrink and safty are way out in left field.

As long as guards take that low pay, the hiring company will gladly give it to you and show you your low worth every day.

Its because its not a speciality job that requires a degree or special training. Training for a guard only takes one day, and the duties are usually quite easy such as sitting at a desk or doing a few patrols. Armed security officers that do patrol make more money.

Some companies have security because their insurance requires it, or it provides them with a large discount. They will pay as low a wage as someone is willing to work for.