Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators vs. Security Guards: Who Earns More?
Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators out-earn Security Guards by $5K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators land at $43,370 and Security Guards at $38,020. The education gap is real: gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigator programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while security guard programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators is Massachusetts ($61,770); for Security Guards it's District of Columbia ($64,210).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators or Security Guards?
Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators earn more nationally. The median is $43,370 for Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators versus $38,020 for Security Guards, a difference of $5K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators or Security Guards?
Security Guards has the better 10-year outlook at 0.4% projected growth, compared to 0.3% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators or Security Guards?
Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Security Guards requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators get paid the most?
Massachusetts is the top-paying state for Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators at $61,770/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators vs. Security Guards pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Massachusetts, Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators earn $61,770 vs. $44,670 for Security Guards. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.