The unarmed security guard is one of the most accessible jobs in the security sector. You only have to spend a couple of weeks in training and undergo some certifications before you can begin. Armed security jobs in Florida may appear to be more prestigious, yet they involve more licensing, background checks, and incur more day to day expenses of maintaining the equipment. These differences are important to those who are interested in getting into unarmed security or armed guard roles as a career.
This article will provide you with information on each of the careers and assist you in seeing the most important differences, industry demands, and growth opportunities between the armed and the unarmed security jobs in Florida. You will know what to consider when making the right decision for your security career.
Major Differences Between Armed and Unarmed Security Jobs
The differences in the armed vs unarmed security in Florida are way beyond holding a gun. The two positions could not be compared in any way in terms of duties, working conditions, and the necessary skills to cope with the job. These differences are critical to learn by potential security professionals and those businesses in question who view security as a concern in businesses.
Job Description and Responsibility
The responsibilities of unarmed security guards revolve around observation, monitoring, and preventive action by the mere presence. They guard grounds, watch over surveillance systems, and handle access control. To add to this, they also assist the customer service work such as giving directions and assisting the visitors. This description of unarmed security has a very diverse scope of duties, which do not imply using guns.
The security guard professionals who are armed are given more complicated tasks, particularly when a high-risk situation arises. They extend the normal security guard functions with special training to deal with risky circumstances such as armed robberies and physical fights. These highly trained security officers also handle the response to emergencies and ensure that potentially dangerous situations do not deteriorate. Armed protection is normally associated with a quick reaction to imminent threats.
The Level of Risks and The Working Conditions
When you decide whether to use armed security or unarmed security, you must take into consideration the risk level of the environment. Unarmed guards typically operate in either low or medium-security areas, such as:
- Retail establishments
- Residential communities
- Museums and galleries
- Educational institutions
- Public recreation areas
An armed security career in Florida, on the other hand, involves areas that have greater risk factors, including:
- Financial institutions
- Jewelry stores
- Industrial security manufacturing plants.
- Locations that deal with large sums.
- High-crime areas
These risky places are usually associated with securing high-value assets and offering security to cash based businesses, which need a more intensive security presence.
Qualification and Training Requirements
https://securityinflorida.com/security-license-psl-port-st-lucie/https://securityinflorida.com/security-license-psl-port-st-lucie/The training is based on the needs of each position. Unarmed security guards have to undergo training of 40 hours in pre-assignment training and 16 hours of on-the-job training. This is a basic security training that includes communication training, observation training, and basic security drills.
Preparedness of armed security positions requires a lot more preparation. In addition to the minimum requirements, such professionals should complete an additional 40 hours of firearms certification, such as a class G license in Florida. They also undergo severe screening procedures, including:
- Psychological evaluations
- Drug testing
- Enhanced background checks
Comparison of Salary and Career Growth
The remuneration difference between the armed and non-armored security jobs reveals the impact of the level of responsibility and training needs on the pay rate. Such variations assist security experts in making superior career decisions. Knowing security officer quotes and possible income is significant for those who are joining the field.
Entry-Level Pay Differences
Security positions (both armed and unarmed) exhibit salary gaps, which are evident in the first place. Unarmed security guards will make an average of $30,000-35,000 a year on average. Security professionals who are armed have higher average starting salaries of 47,885 dollars a year.
These initial salaries are influenced by a number of factors:
Location: Washington guards receive nearly 39000 per annum, whereas West Virginia guards receive approximately 25000 per annum.
Type of industry: The jobs in healthcare security have high salaries as compared to those in retail or hospitality.
Shift differentials: The night shifts will be paid an extra of 1-4 dollars per hour.
Salaries vary by region. To provide an example, an armed security guard’s salary in such costly places as San Jose, CA is approximately $47,761 a year. This demonstrates that location has the potential to influence earnings.
High-Level Role Opportunities
Growing careers will be able to drive growth significantly. The security professionals who advance to supervisor positions can make $50,000 to $80,000 per annum. Individuals who become the Chief Security Officer (CSO) receive six-figure salaries.
Career development opportunities are:
Security director jobs
- Manage entire security functions.
- Manage large teams
- Develop security plans
Specialized roles
- Facility management that is high-risk
- Logistics security
Making Your Career Choice
Armed or unarmed security jobs are a matter of personal characteristics, career aspirations, and optimal work environments. The factors will assist you in the identification of the most appropriate path to take during your professional trip, be it joining the businesses that provide armed security or seeking other forms of unarmed security.
- Personal strengths analysis.
- Long-term career goals
- Priorities in the work environment.
Conclusion
The decision to take unarmed or Armed security jobs in Florida depends on a number of major factors. Unarmed positions allow access to the security industry with fewer initial requirements and training expenses. Armed positions require additional certifications and continuous training, and are better paid.
All Florida Security Services offers specialized courses and training certifications to help aspirants make their way into the security industry with expert professional guidance. Call us now to talk to a representative who will promptly handle all your queries.
