Unarmed Security Guard Requirements For Nebraska

Living and Protecting the Good Life in Nebraska

It may seem like everything is peaceful and quiet along the prairie, and the truth is that Nebraska, well, for the most part it's, yeah, a peaceful, quiet state just like they say it is. Well, as long as you don't say anything negative about the Cornhuskers. For many in Nebraska, Cornhusker football is as sensitive a topic as politics or religion. While things are a bit more active and lively in Omaha City and Lincoln, the rest of the state is about as calm and quiet as it gets. The backbone of the state's economy is agriculture, however, oil, gas, transportation, and technology are gaining steam and helping to propel the state into the 21st century. That means there are plenty of opportunities for security guards looking to help protect these emerging industries as they develop and grow. 

The state has a relatively small population at just under 2 million. Most people live in the eastern part of the state where Omaha, Lincoln, and Papillion are located. The crime rate is fairly low with residents having a 1 in 357 chance of experiencing a violent crime, and a 1 in 40 chance of experiencing a property crime. These rates are well below the national median. These crime rates make Nebraska a place where most days at the office are going to be rather routine. 

There are two exceptions to the low crime rates. The first is motor vehicle theft which is slightly higher than the national average at just over 2.37 thefts per thousand residents. The second is general property theft which is roughly 18.64 per thousand residents as opposed to the national rate of 18.37 per thousand residents. As a security guard, it is your job to help bring those rates down and stop the bad guys from taking cars, purses, and other property when owners are away.     

Nebraska is a state where education is important, and it is not surprising that the University of Nebraska is the state's second largest employer after the US military. They have nearly 9,000 employees and tens of thousands of students located at campus facilities across the state. Other notable employers include First Data, Liberty Tax, Tyson, Union Pacific Railroad, Nebraska Medical Center, Creighton University, PayPal, Smithfield Farmland, and Cargill. Thus, whether you want to work in an office or a feedlot, a university or a hospital, there are plenty of choices for you to select from. 

Starting salary for a security guard in Nebraska is roughly $17,500 a year, with the average being roughly $25,000. Security guards with specialized training and experience can command salaries upwards of $50,000 a year. Thus, this means there is plenty of room for growth for security professionals willing to put in the time and effort to hone their skills and prove their capabilities. As with most states, salaries tend to be higher in the big cities such as Omaha and Lincoln, but with oil and gas sites springing up throughout the state, it is possible to find higher paying jobs "out in the boondocks" protecting the "Texas Tea" that the wells are pumping from deep within the ground.

If you are looking to buy a home, you can expect to spend about $126,000 for a place to live. Home prices are stable and appreciate at a slow and steady clip. Naturally, the price of a home depends on both location, size, and quality. As with any market, you will find plenty of properties above and below this median line. Overall, the cost of living in Nebraska is 22% lower than the US national average. This means you will get quite a bit of bang for your buck. Thus, while the salary is a little lower than the national average, the state's low cost of living and high quality of life more than make up for the difference. A wise shopper and a keen eye for bargains can stretch these savings even further and you can make quite a nice life for yourself as you hone your career skills and move up the ladder with your employer.  

Becoming a security guard in Nebraska is pretty easy to do. The state doesn't require licensing for you to begin working. That means that as long as you have a high school diploma, are 18 years old, and can show up with a clean criminal background check, you will be ready to go. Additionally, most companies will require drug testing and proof of specialized training that qualifies you to work as a security professional. Most importantly, they want to see that you can follow procedure, know industry best practices, can adhere to company guidelines, and have a sharp eye for detail that will keep people and property safe from harm and disappearing acts.

Nebraska is a prairie state. It is flat and the weather can be cold and chilly in the winter, and hot and blustery in the summer. Because it is so flat and wide open, the wind can whip through the state and make it feel colder, or hotter, than the temperature gauge says it is. December, January, and February see temperatures in the 30's, with April, May, September, and October typically hovering in the 60's and 70's. The hot months are June, July, and August when you can regularly expect temperatures in the 80's or above. These temperatures don't fluctuate much within the seasons, so it creates a steady climate you can be prepared for. In the winter, you can expect up to two feet of snow to fall, and in the summer, you will hear the farmers in the fields praying for rain, especially in July and August when the skies tend to dry up.  

Of course, all work and no play is no way to go through life. Nebraska has plenty of things for you to see and do when your shift is over. You can head over tot the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument to learn more about the settlers who passed through the state on their way to California's golden dreams. You can take in the sights and sounds of the Scotts Bluff National Monument. Or, you can visit the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland to see the many aircraft and missile defense systems that once kept the skies over America safe and free. You can also catch plenty of college football games, AAA baseball, hockey, and other sports.