Security Services in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
New York, United States
Last Updated: July 2024
NAICS 56161Revenue
$47.7bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$X.Xbn
Employees
859k
Businesses
11,317
Wages
$XX.Xbn
Security Services in the US industry analysis
Revenue for security companies in the United States has been volatile during the current period. Declining corporate profit caused demand for the industry’s services to plunge during COVID-19. While the US economy recovered following mass vaccination, the continuance of work-from-home policies reduced nonresidential construction, hindering downstream demand for the industry. As more employees returned to the office in 2022, businesses hiked their uptake of security services, causing revenue to rise. Higher interest rates have recently constrained consumer spending, threatening to put the economy into a recession. Recessionary fears have made companies more hesitant to invest in security services, depressing the industry's performance. Overall, revenue for security services providers in the United States is expected to dwindle at a CAGR of 1.0% during the current period, reaching $47.7 billion in 2024. This includes a 0.2% decline in revenue in that year.
Trends and Insights
- Revenue has been volatile during the current period. The industry performed relatively well during the pandemic recovery, but revenue has crept downward recently as recessionary fears have hindered downstream demand for security services.
- Security services companies focus on employing and subcontracting security guards to various agencies and organizations. A drop in crime rates has decreased demand for these guards, constraining security guards’ revenue share.
- Security services are largely concentrated according to population density. Cities and areas with high population densities tend to have a greater number of security service providers, particularly in the Southeast, West and Mid-Atlantic.
- Price, brand recognition, service excellence and insurance coverage all play a role in intra-industry rivalry. Small businesses typically suffer the most from price rivalry, which is fierce and on the rise as a result of the industry's fragmentation.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 1.0 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $47.7bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Outsourcing has spurred long-term demand for the industry's services
- The need for businesses, the government and other organizations to safeguard their workers and assets is what drives demand for the industry's services. Compared with other industries in the sector, security services are typically less vulnerable to economic downturns because security is still a top priority for many businesses, even when times are tough financially.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Stable economic conditions will spur revenue growth
- Despite challenges related to rising interest rates and recessionary fears, the US economy is expected to perform well during the outlook period.
Biggest companies in the Security Services in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 | Profit ($m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Allied Universal Security Services LLC | 6,612.0 | 327.4 | 5.0 | |
Securitas Ab | 5,346.2 | 224.0 | 4.2 | |
Contemporary Services Corporation | 3,225.2 | 267.7 | 8.3 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 25 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Unarmed security guard services, Armed security guard services and Armored vehicle services. Unarmed security guard services is the largest segment of the Security Services in the US.
Trends and Insights
The industry's primary purpose is to hire security guards
- Security service companies employ security guards and subcontract them to various businesses and government organizations. These services comprise more than two-thirds of revenue.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Security Alarm Services in the US
- Camera Stores in the US
Complementors
- Credit Bureaus & Rating Agencies in the US
- Market Research in the US
International industries
- Security Services in Canada
- Investigation and Security Services in Australia
- Investigation and Security Services in New Zealand
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Security service companies provide one or more of the following: investigative and detective services; guard and patrol services; and protected transport of valuables, including money, receipts and other items. Players provide these services to banks, consumers, retailers, government agencies and other clients.
What's included in this industry?
Armored car servicesSecurity guard and patrol servicesPolygraph servicesCorporate investigative servicesSecurity guard and crowd control services for temporary eventsPrivate detective servicesBodyguard servicesCompanies
Allied Universal Security Services LLCSecuritas AbContemporary Services CorporationPurchase this report to view all 25 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
BIOMETRICSCLOSED-CIRCUIT TV (CCTV)MONITORED SECURITY SYSTEMIndustry Code
NAICS 56161 - Security Services in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Revenue has been volatile during the current period. The industry performed relatively well during the pandemic recovery, but revenue has crept downward recently as recession...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Security services companies focus on employing and subcontracting security guards to various agencies and organizations. A drop in crime rates has decreased demand for these ...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Security services are largely concentrated according to population density. Cities and areas with high population densities tend to have a greater number of security service ...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Price, brand recognition, service excellence and insurance coverage all play a role in intra-industry rivalry. Small businesses typically suffer the most from price rivalry, ...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Market share concentration in this industry is relatively low. In aggregate, the industry's most prominent players comprise less than 20.0% of revenue.
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Allied Universal Security Services LLC's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Securitas Ab's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Contemporary Services Corporation's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 22 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Allied Universal Security Services LLC, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Securitas Ab, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Contemporary Services Corporation, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 22 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
While the majority of states require a license to operate as a security officer, state regulations for the security services industry vary. To carry a standard-issue weapon, ...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Depending on the size of the business, brand recognition and degree of technology use, cost structure elements may differ between security companies in this industry. Wages a...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
- Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
- Income Statement (2017-2022)
- Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Security Services in the US industry in United States in 2024?
The market size of the Security Services in the US industry in United States is $47.7bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Security Services in the US industry in 2024?
There are 11,317 businesses in the Security Services in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.8 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Security Services in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Security Services in the US industry in United States has been declining at a CAGR of 1.0 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Security Services in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Security Services in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Security Services in the US market in United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Security Services market in United States are Allied Universal Security Services LLC, Securitas Ab and Contemporary Services Corporation
What does the Security Services in the US in United States include?
Armored car services and Security guard and patrol services are part of the Security Services in the US industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Security Services in the US in United States?
The company holding the most market share in United States is Allied Universal Security Services LLC.
How competitive is the Security Services in the US industry in United States?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Security Services in the US industry in United States.
