Security Officer Jobs in Tucson, AZ
Security officer jobs in Tucson pay about $18 to $20 an hour at contract firms such as Allied Universal and GardaWorld, and hospitals including Tucson Medical Center hire their own officers. Current openings are below, followed by who is hiring and how Arizona's guard registration works.
Current Security Officer Openings in Tucson, AZ
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Security Officer Work in Tucson
Security work in Tucson splits into two worlds. Contract firms such as Allied Universal and GardaWorld staff access control posts, patrol routes and special response shifts at offices, campuses, retail centers and industrial sites across the metro. Hospitals run their own departments, so Tucson Medical Center in midtown on Grant Road and Carondelet St. Mary's on the west side hire officers directly and train them in de-escalation and patient safety.
Contract officers must be registered with the Arizona Department of Public Safety through a licensed security agency, and hospitals such as TMC ask for the same DPS license. That makes the guard card the most useful credential for a Tucson job seeker, whether the goal is a hospital emergency department, a patrol route or a front desk post.
Top Tucson Employers Hiring Security Officers
These Tucson employers have posted security officer jobs on their own careers sites:
- Allied Universal - contract security firm hiring unarmed access control and patrol officers in Tucson, with posted pay of $18.25 an hour.
- GardaWorld - contract security firm hiring special response officers at $20 an hour, with an Arizona guard license required.
- Tucson Medical Center - midtown hospital hiring full-time security officers on rotating shifts, with crisis intervention training in the first 90 days.
- Carondelet Health Network - hires hospital security officers at St. Mary's and asks for healthcare security certification within a year.
Security Officer Salaries in Tucson
- Entry level (unarmed post): roughly $16 to $18 an hour.
- Experienced, patrol or response officer: roughly $18 to $21 an hour.
- Lead or supervisor: roughly $21 to $25 an hour.
These are estimates that vary by employer and experience. Federal survey data put the median Tucson security guard at $16.77 an hour in 2023, and current postings run higher: Allied Universal lists $18.25 and GardaWorld $20 for Tucson roles. Shift, armed status, the type of post and supervisory duties move pay the most. Inside Tucson city limits the 2026 minimum wage is $15.45 an hour, versus $15.15 elsewhere in Arizona, so the floor depends on where the post is.
How to Become a Security Officer in Tucson
Arizona requires security guards employed by security companies to be registered through the Arizona Department of Public Safety Security Guard and Private Investigator Licensing Unit. A registrant must work for a licensed security agency, complete the eight-hour unarmed pre-assignment class, and submit fingerprints with every application. The unarmed registration fee is $50, plus $22 for fingerprint processing, and it is valid for four years. Armed officers add a 16-hour initial firearms class and an eight-hour refresher every year. Allied Universal's Tucson access control posting lists the guard card as preferred, while GardaWorld and Tucson Medical Center list it as required. No degree is needed, but Pima Community College's Justice Professions associate degree at East Campus is a common next step for officers aiming at law enforcement.
What the Job Involves
Security officers control who enters a site, patrol on foot or by vehicle, watch cameras, write incident reports and respond to alarms and disturbances. Hospital officers also escort patients and staff, help with combative patients and keep emergency departments safe around the clock.
Skills Employers Look For
- A current Arizona DPS security guard registration
- Calm de-escalation and customer service
- Clear, accurate incident report writing
- A valid Arizona driver's license and clean record for patrol work
- Comfort with nights, weekends and rotating shifts
- Basic Life Support or first aid, required at some hospitals
Career Path and Advancement
A Tucson officer often starts on an unarmed post, adds armed certification or moves to patrol and response work, then to shift lead, site supervisor and account manager at a contract firm. Hospital officers can move into healthcare security supervision with IAHSS certification, and some use security experience as a step toward police, corrections or campus safety jobs.
Related Careers in Tucson
These Tucson guides cover the closest alternatives for security officers:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a guard card to work security in Arizona?
Yes, for anyone working for a security company. Arizona security guards are registered through the Department of Public Safety Security Guard and Private Investigator Licensing Unit while employed by a licensed agency, and hospitals such as TMC ask for the same license. Registration requires an eight-hour unarmed class and fingerprints, and it is valid for four years.
How much do security officers make in Tucson?
Current Tucson postings list $18.25 an hour at Allied Universal and $20 an hour at GardaWorld. Federal data put the 2023 median at $16.77 an hour, and lead and supervisory roles generally pay more than entry posts.
How much does an Arizona guard card cost?
DPS charges $50 for an unarmed registration and $22 for fingerprint processing. An armed registration is $100. Ask an employer whether it covers the fees or runs the eight-hour class for new hires.
Do Tucson hospitals hire security officers?
Yes. Tucson Medical Center and Carondelet St. Mary's have posted full-time security officer jobs with rotating shifts. TMC asks for a DPS security license and trains new officers in crisis intervention, while Carondelet asks for BLS and IAHSS basic certification within a year.
Can you work security in Tucson without experience?
Yes. Allied Universal's Tucson access control posting lists the guard card as preferred rather than required, and hospitals list security experience as preferred. A clean background, a valid driver's license and reliable attendance matter most for a first job.
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