Unarmed Security Guard Requirements For Utah

The Buzz for Security Guards in the Beehive State of Utah

It's a cool morning as you pull into work. The skies are blue and the winds are just starting to pick up as the sun's rays warm the earth up and bring things to life. It's high season for your business and you know that the loading dock is going to be a beehive of activity as teams of workers rush to meet deadlines and ship products from the warehouse. For you, this means making sure that truck drivers get through the gates quickly so they can get loaded, and get back on the road in the shortest time possible. Fortunately, you've done this a time or two, and you know exactly how to inspect the driver's credentials, examine the manifest, and complete the paperwork lickity split so that there are no delays.

It may seem like a simple job, but things can, and do come up. It's up to you to catch any problems before they become major issues. When you are a security guard in Utah, most of your days will be routine and straightforward. For most security guards in the state, their very presence is all it takes to deter those with ill will and malicious intent. In fact, the state's violent crime rates are well below the national median. The violent crime rate throughout Utah is just over 2.16 per 1,000 residents. This is about half the national median of 3.8 per 1,000 residents. However, the state's property crime rate is above the national median. There are roughly 29 property crimes per 1,000 residents as compared to the national median of 26 per 1,000 residents. This means that while you probably won't ever encounter a violent incident, you will most likely have to deal with theft, vandalism, burglary and other non-violent crimes.   

Security guards in Utah earn a median salary of about $26,000 per year. This is slightly higher than the national average of $24,000. Those that are just entering the field can expect to start out at about $20,000 per year, however, there are plenty of opportunities for career growth and salary advancement. Those that have years of experience and training under their belt can command salaries well into the $40,000 per year range. This means that if you are willing to put in the time and effort to build your career, there are ample opportunities for you to enrich yourself financially.

Utah is a state where you will need to get good at budgeting your expenses to stretch your salary. Groceries, utilities, healthcare, and transportation are less expensive than other states, however, housing is considerably more expensive. Overall, the cost of living is about 6% higher than other states so you will want to get to work building your resume and putting skills under your belt so that you can move up the salary ladder as quickly as possible. 

The State of Utah requires unarmed security guards to obtain a license before they can start working. Applicants are required to be at least 18-years old, have a valid Social Security number, and submit their fingerprints for record keeping purposes. Individuals must also submit to a drug test and be able to demonstrate that they have no physical disabilities that will prevent them from performing the duties of a security guard. 

Furthermore, they must show that they are mentally competent and possess strong moral character. In order to demonstrate this, applicants must complete 24-hours of classroom instruction and pass their coursework with at least an 80%. This training must include courses in the role of private security, basic law, observation, incidence response, customer service, and First Aid. Finally, before you begin looking for a job, be sure to get a driver's license as many employers will require that you have a valid license so that you can get to work on time.

Utah's cities are small when compared to cities in other states. Salt Lake City is the largest city in the state and its population is just under 200,000. It's followed by West Valley City at 133,000 resident,s and Provo and West Jordan with just over 110,000 each. Other cities include Orem and Ogden which each have about 90,000 residents. Of course, if that's still too large for you, consider Lehi, Logan, or Bountiful which have populations of less than 50,000 a piece. Regardless of which city you choose, you will find plenty of hospitality and a welcoming spirit. Utah is well-known for having strong, tight knit communities where people are friendly and look out for their neighbors.

Utah's largest employers are the Intermountain Healthcare System, the University of Utah, and Brigham Young University. Each employ about 20,000 people. Next up is Wal-Mart, Smith's Food and Drug Centers, and the Davis County School District. Each of these employers offer solid employment and career opportunities. If you are looking to get into technology and electronics, consider looking at Convergys, L3 Communications Corporation, or Vivint. These emerging industries in the state have great potential for future career growth. And, if you want to turn your attentions skyward, Delta Airlines, SkyWest, and JetBlue are each busy expanding their operations in the Salt Lake area as they seek to conquer the western skies.       

Utah is a dry, continental climate. It has warm summers, cold winters, and four distinct seasons. In the summer, the weather is typically in the 70's, and in the winter things drop into the low 30's. The higher the elevation, the greater the likelihood that these winter temperatures will drop below freezing. The state doesn't get a lot of moisture. This means that when it rains or snows, not much falls from the skies. In fact, the snow is famous for being very dry and powdery which makes it ideal for skiing and sledding when you are not busy making a living.

Utah is paradise for folks who love the outdoors. The scenery of Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Arches National Park will take your breath away. You will enjoy getting lost in the Canyonlands, and you will marvel at the vast open spaces of the salt flats. In the summer, you can take in the sites around Temple Square in Salt Lake City, or smile at the exotic animals that reside in the Hogle Zoo. In the winter, head up to Deer Valley or the Alta Ski Area and enjoy some of the best skiing in the world. Whatever your pleasure, you will find plenty of things to do throughout the year that will keep you busy and active as you pursue your career and enjoy all the fun things the state has to offer.