Security Guards
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Job description
These individuals conduct investigations on behalf of clients or employers. They apply security measures to protect property against theft, fire, and vandalism. They control access to establishments and maintain order. Some transport money and valuables in armoured cars.
Environment
- Controlled ambient temperature
- Climatic conditions
- Vehicle or passenger compartment
- Uncontrolled ambient temperature
- Hazardous workplaces
- Violence
Main tasks
Security Guards
- Control access to facilities from guard posts.
- Direct visitors to appropriate areas.
- Make rounds in designated areas to prevent theft, vandalism, and fire.
- Enforce an establishment’s regulations and security and emergency measures to maintain order.
- Resolve conflicts.
- Control passenger and baggage security at airports.
Armoured Car Guards
- Drive armored cars.
- Pick up and deliver money and valuables from banks, ATMs, and businesses.
Company Security Guards
- Investigate illegal acts committed by establishment staff or customers.
- Recommend security systems (e.g. electronic access and detection devices).
Private Investigators
- Conduct investigations to find missing persons.
- Obtain information regarding civil and criminal investigations.
- Conduct polygraph (integrity) tests, as required.
Theft Prevention Officers
- Prevent and detect shoplifting in stores.
Hourly wage
The hourly wage is calculated by averaging wages from 2022 to 2024.- Minimum
- $18.00
- Median
- $21.00
- Maximum
- $30.00
Job prospects for 2024-2028
Les 2 champs de sélection ci-dessous vous permettent de comparer 2 régions. Les données des régions seront automatiquement mises à jour à la sélection. Par défaut, la province de Québec est sélectionnée pour la première région.
Job prospects for 2024-2028
Job prospects
All of Québec
Non available
Limited
Good
Very good
Very good
All of Québec
Non available
Limited
Good
Very good
Non available
Total jobs for 2023
All of Québec
33,000
All of Québec
na
Gender distribution
All of Québec
Not available.
- 21.5% Female
- 78.5% Male
Not available.
- 21.5% Female
- 78.5% Male
Job types
All of Québec
Not available.
- Full time
- Part time
Not available.
- Full time
- Part time
Yearly wage on 2020
All of Québec
$43,600
All of Québec
Other characteristics
All of Québec
- Non traditional for women
- None
All of Québec
- Non traditional for women
- None
Sectors of activity
All of Québec
Not available.
-
NAICS 55, 5664% of jobs
-
NAICS 621, 622, 6237% of jobs
-
NAICS 916% of jobs
-
NAICS 44, 454% of jobs
-
NAICS 613% of jobs
-
Others16% of jobs
All of Québec
Not available.
-
NAICS 55, 5664% of jobs
-
NAICS 621, 622, 6237% of jobs
-
NAICS 916% of jobs
-
NAICS 44, 454% of jobs
-
NAICS 613% of jobs
-
Others16% of jobs
Training and requirements
Formation
Most training programs are offered in French only.
Secondary
Also required
- Licence to carry firearms.
Security Guards
- Permit issued by the Ministère de la Sécurité publique du Québec.
Armoured Car Guards
- Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) and Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC) for restricted and unrestricted weapons.
Private Investigators
- Permit issued by the Ministère de la Sécurité publique du Québec.
- Permit to practise issued by the Bureau de la sécurité privée (BSP [Private security office]).
Sometimes required
- A secondary school diploma is usually required.
- Workplace first aid training may be required or an asset.
- A Class 4A driver’s licence may be required or an asset.
Company Security Guards
- Experience as a Police Officer may be required.
Main skills and characteristics
Skills
- Data collection
- Information processing
- Active listening
- Result evaluation
- Oral expression
- Reading comprehension
- Coordination
- Critical thought
- Active learning
- Written expression
- Social perception
Abilities
- Awareness of issues
- Distance vision
- Selective attention
- Oral comprehension
- Speech clarity
- Verbal skills
- Speech recognition
- Deductive reasoning
- Processing flexibility
- Near vision
- Inductive reasoning
- Perception speed
Knowledge and attributes
- Autonomy
- Sense of responsibility
- Capacity to work in a team
- Sense of initiative
- Tolerance to stress
- Respect standards and regulations
- Capacity for synthesis
- Sense of observation
- Knowledge of public safety and security
- Availability
Interests
- Watch, defend, and secure
Personality profiles (RIASEC)
- Realistic
- People with this profile prefer carrying out concrete tasks and being physically involved in what they do.
- Enterprising
- People with this profile prefer having responsibilities, influencing others and responding to challenges.
- Social
- People with this profile prefer to be in contact with others, in particular to entertain, help or teach them.
Official name of the NOC 64410
Security guards and related security service occupations
Job titles
- Security agent
- Commissionaire
- Armoured car driver
- Private detective
- Armed security guard
- Private security officer
- Investigations officer - postal service
- Security analysis officer - postal service
- Postal inspection officer
- Private investigator
- Screening officer
- Theft prevention officer
- Corporate security officer
- Plant guard
- Security and investigations officer
- Retail loss investigator
- Polygraph examiner
- Security consultant (except computer systems)
- Security alarm system consultant
- House detective
- Store detective
- Business establishment investigator
- Retail investigator
- Alarm investigator
- Security investigator
- Escort - security services
- Lie detector examiner
- Bouncer
- Security guard - explosives
- Armoured car guard
- Bodyguard (except police)
- Gateman/woman
- Vault custodian
- Convoy guard
- Air courier guard
- Night guard
- Airport security guard
- Shopping investigator
- Postal service inspector
- Polygraph operator
- Surveillance operator - casino
- Patrol officer - security
- Polygraphist
- Security gate attendant
- Plant gatekeeper
- Residential alarm system specialist
- Security specialist (except computer systems)
- Loss prevention officers supervisor
- Private investigators supervisor
- Cabin baggage inspector
Skill type
Sales and service
Last update: January 29, 2026
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