Security Guard Jobs in Canada (2025)

Security Guard Jobs in Canada (2025)

Security guards in Canada continue to play a vital role across many sectors — from retail stores, residential buildings, and corporate offices, to hospitals, event venues, airports, and transport hubs. With rising concerns about safety, theft prevention, and property protection, demand for trained security personnel remains steady. However, roles vary depending on location, licensing requirements, and employer expectations.

What Security Guards Do

Typical duties of a security guard include:

• Patrol assigned areas to deter theft, vandalism, and other security breaches.
• Monitor surveillance equipment (CCTV), access control points, and alarm systems.
• Inspect premises for hazards or unauthorized persons.
• Check identification, enforce property rules, and manage visitor access.
• Respond to emergencies, such as fires, medical incidents, or security alerts, and alert appropriate authorities.
• Write reports on incidents, maintain daily logs.
• Sometimes provide customer service and assistance (e.g. guiding visitors, answering questions).
• Depending on setting, may escort people, supervise premises outside of regular hours (night shifts), or manage crowd control for events.

Salary & Earnings

Wages for security guards in Canada depend heavily on the province, job setting, shift type (night vs day), whether there’s supervisory responsibility, and degree of risk associated with the position.

Some key figures in 2025:

• Typical hourly rate for general security guard roles is between CAD $15.50 and CAD $20.00/hour in many parts of Canada.
• In higher‑risk or specialized roles (airport security, event security, industrial sites, etc.), wages can go up to ~CAD $25‑30/hour or more.
• Median wage across Canada is around CAD $18.64/hour for standard security guard roles.
• Some positions (especially in higher cost‑of‑living cities like Vancouver, Toronto, etc.) offer additional compensation for night shifts, overtime, or licensing responsibilities.

Requirements & Licensing

To work legally as a security guard in Canada, candidates must satisfy several requirements:

• Must be of legal working age (usually 18 years or older). DIRECT JOBS CANADA
• High school diploma (or equivalent) is commonly expected; however, many entry‑level roles may accept less formal education depending on employer and location.
• Clean criminal record; background and sometimes reference checks are conducted.
• Provincial licensing or registration/licence: Each province (or territory) has its own rules. Guards often must complete a training program (e.g. “Basic Security Training”), pass exams, and obtain a license to practice.
• Depending on the role, additional certifications may be required: first aid/CPR, specialized security or site‑specific training, handling of emergencies.
• Physical fitness, good communication skills (English, or French in many locations), ability to stand or walk long hours, sometimes to handle emergencies or confrontations.

Types of Security Guard Jobs & Settings

Security guards may be employed in diverse settings, and job duties may vary a lot based on the environment. Examples include:

• Malls and retail stores
• Residential and gated communities
• Corporate offices and commercial buildings
• Hospitals and healthcare facilities
• Industrial sites, warehouses, construction zones
• Airports, transit hubs, and transportation infrastructure
• Events, concerts, sports venues, exhibition halls

Some roles require specialized training and higher responsibility (e.g. supervising other guards, handling security for large public events, airport security screening).

Challenges & Working Conditions

While the job offers opportunities, there are trade‑offs and difficulties, including:

• Working hours can be irregular: night shifts, weekends, holidays are common.
• Physical demands: long periods standing or patrolling, sometimes work outdoors in bad weather.
• Stress: must remain alert all times; sometimes face confrontations or emergencies.
• Variable income depending on overtime, shift differential, whether the employer offers benefits.
• Licensing and training costs may sometimes be borne by the guard, depending on employer or province.

How to Get the Job & Advance

Here are ways to improve your chances and move up in the field:

1. Complete required training and licensing in your province as soon as possible. Having a valid license is often non‑negotiable.
2. Get additional certifications (first aid, CPR, specialized security) to stand out.
3. Build experience, even in less demanding roles, to gain reliability and references. High performance, punctuality, and professionalism help.
4. Seek roles in higher responsibility settings (like events, airport, industrial) which tend to pay more and give exposure.
5. Look for employers offering additional perks: overtime pay, shift differentials, uniform/equipment allowances, health benefits.
6. Network and apply widely through legitimate security companies, government job boards, and reputable hiring agencies.

Outlook & Trends in 2025

• As security needs increase (cyber threats, public safety, infrastructure security), roles in both physical security and combined security + tech surveillance are growing.
• Automation and technology (CCTV, remote monitoring, drones) are having impact, but human guards remain essential, especially in contexts needing immediate response, customer interaction, or presence.
• Regulations continue to evolve, including licensing requirements, safety standards, worker protections, especially for contract and part‑time guards.
• Demand in many provinces remains steady, particularly in urban centres and industries like healthcare, retail, transportation, and events.