Security Jobs in Atlanta: How to Get Hired and Where to Start

Atlanta’s steady growth, busy airport, entertainment scene, and corporate presence mean constant demand for security professionals. Whether you want to work in a downtown office tower, at Hartsfield-Jackson, on a movie set, or at a hospital, there are many ways to build a security career in Atlanta, Georgia.

This guide walks you through types of security jobs in Atlanta, pay expectations, licensing, training, and where to look for openings—all with a local focus.

Types of Security Jobs in Atlanta

Security work in Atlanta ranges from entry-level guarding to specialized roles. Here are the main categories you’ll see:

1. Unarmed Security Guard Jobs

Common in:

• Office buildings (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead)
• Retail and malls (Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza, Cumberland Mall)
• Apartments and condos (West Midtown, Sandy Springs, Buckhead)
• Events and entertainment venues (State Farm Arena, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium)

Typical duties:

• Checking IDs or visitor passes
• Patrolling buildings and parking lots
• Monitoring cameras and alarms
• Writing incident reports
• Providing directions and basic customer service

Unarmed positions are often entry-level and may require only a high school diploma and clean background.

2. Armed Security Jobs

You’ll see more armed roles where risk or cash handling is higher, such as:

• Banks and credit unions
• Jewelry and high-end retail
• Cash transport and armored car services
• Some hospitals and clinics
• Certain government buildings

Duties may include:

• Protecting high-value assets or cash
• Escorting deposits and valuables
• Responding quickly to safety threats

Armed roles in Atlanta generally require:

• State licensing for armed security
• Firearms training
• Strong background check (including criminal and sometimes credit)

3. Corporate and Campus Security

Many large organizations in Atlanta maintain in-house security teams, including:

• Corporate headquarters in Midtown and Buckhead
• Colleges and universities (Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Emory, Atlanta University Center campuses)
• Medical centers (Grady Memorial Hospital, Emory University Hospital, Northside Hospital)

These roles tend to focus on:

• Access control and employee ID management
• Monitoring large camera networks
• Emergency response and evacuation procedures
• Coordination with local law enforcement

These jobs sometimes offer more stable schedules and benefits compared with some contract guard work.

4. Event Security and Crowd Management

Atlanta hosts:

• Major sporting events
• Concerts and festivals (Centennial Olympic Park, Piedmont Park)
• Conventions at the Georgia World Congress Center
• Film and TV productions across the metro area

Event security jobs may include:

• Bag checks and metal detector screening
• Managing entry lines and crowds
• Backstage security and artist protection
• Parking lot and perimeter patrol

These roles can be part-time or temporary, ideal if you’re looking for flexible or weekend work.

5. Transportation and Airport Security

With Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport being one of the world’s busiest, there are several security roles connected to transportation:

• TSA screening positions (federal jobs)
• Airline security and gate agents with security responsibilities
• Airport terminal and parking security
• Cargo and logistics facility security near the airport and around I‑285 / I‑75 / I‑85 corridors

These can offer:

• Structured training
• Federal or corporate benefits (in some roles)
• Shift work that may include nights and weekends

6. Public Safety & Law Enforcement–Adjacent Jobs

While not exactly the same as a private security guard, some roles overlap:

• Campus police and public safety officers at Atlanta universities
• Transit security with MARTA
• Security positions within city or county government buildings

These may require:

• POST certification (for sworn positions)
• Extensive background checks and testing
• Competitive hiring processes

What Security Jobs in Atlanta Typically Pay

Pay varies widely by:

• Type of employer (small firm vs. large corporation vs. federal)
• Armed vs. unarmed
• Experience and training
• Shift (overnight and weekend shifts sometimes pay more)

In the Atlanta metro area, pay often falls into these general ranges:

To get an accurate sense of current rates in Atlanta, compare multiple job postings by neighborhood and job type rather than relying on a single number.

Licensing and Training Needed in Atlanta

In Georgia, security licensing and regulation are handled primarily at the state level, but Atlanta employers often have their own standards.

Unarmed Security Guard Requirements

For basic unarmed security roles in Atlanta, employers commonly expect:

• Minimum age: Usually 18
• Education: High school diploma or GED
• Background check: No disqualifying criminal history
• Strong communication skills and professional appearance

Some employers provide on-the-job training; others prefer candidates with prior experience or formal security courses.

Armed Security Guard Requirements

For armed positions, you can generally expect to need:

• To meet all unarmed requirements
• Firearms training (classroom and range)
• State-level permission for armed security work
• Ongoing qualification and practice shoots (per employer or licensing rules)

Many Atlanta organizations prefer or require:

• Prior military, law enforcement, or armed guard experience
• Additional certifications in use of force, de-escalation, or defensive tactics

Where to Learn About Security Licensing in Georgia

To understand the legal requirements for security companies and some types of officers, Georgians can look to:

• Georgia Board of Private Detectives and Security Agencies
  237 Coliseum Drive
  Macon, GA 31217
  Phone: (478) 207‑2440

This board handles licensing for security businesses and certain security professionals in Georgia. If you plan to move into supervisory, investigative, or management roles in Atlanta’s security field, it’s wise to become familiar with its rules.

For most entry-level guard positions, companies may handle the formal licensing process for you or explain which steps are required.

Helpful Training and Certifications in Atlanta

While not always required, the following can make you more competitive in the Atlanta job market:

• Basic security officer training
• First Aid / CPR / AED (often requested by hospitals, schools, and corporate employers)
• De-escalation and conflict resolution training
• Customer service training (important in hotels, retail, and corporate lobbies)
• Defensive driving (helpful for patrol and mobile response roles)

You may find courses through:

• Local community colleges and technical colleges in the Atlanta metro
• Private security training academies in or near the city
• Some larger security employers that run in-house programs for new hires

Where to Find Security Jobs in Atlanta

There are several good ways to search for “security jobs Atlanta” and actually land interviews.

1. Security Companies Operating in Atlanta

Many guards in Atlanta work for contract security firms that serve multiple clients across the city. These companies often:

• Have frequent openings
• Offer both full-time and part-time shifts
• Place staff in offices, retail, industrial sites, and events

Look for firms advertising:

• Positions in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Perimeter, Airport area, and major suburbs
• Clear descriptions of armed vs. unarmed duties
• Paid training or opportunities for promotion

2. Major Atlanta Employers Hiring Directly

Some large organizations hire their own security staff and post jobs on their careers pages or job boards. In Atlanta, these may include:

• Hospitals and health systems (Grady, Emory, Piedmont, Wellstar)
• Universities and colleges (Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Emory University, Morehouse, Spelman, Clark Atlanta)
• Stadiums and arenas (Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, Truist Park)
• Malls and shopping centers around Buckhead, Cumberland, and Perimeter
• Large corporate campuses in Midtown, Buckhead, and North Fulton

Search using terms like:

• “Security officer – Atlanta”
• “Public safety – Atlanta”
• “Campus security – Atlanta”
• “Loss prevention – Atlanta”

3. Government & Airport Opportunities

For public-sector and transportation roles:

• City of Atlanta and Fulton/DeKalb Counties often post public safety–related jobs on their official careers pages.
• MARTA advertises security and transit police positions for rail and bus systems.
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has jobs through:
  • The City of Atlanta (Department of Aviation)
  • Federal agencies such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
  • Private contractors that handle airport security functions

Federal applications typically go through federal job systems and may involve a longer hiring process.

4. Local Job Fairs and Workforce Centers

Job seekers in Atlanta can benefit from:

• Job fairs focused on public safety, hospitality, or general hiring events
• Local career centers and workforce development offices that assist with:
  • Resume preparation
  • Interview practice
  • Connecting with employers seeking entry-level guards

These events are common in metro Atlanta and can be a direct route into security roles.

What Atlanta Employers Look For

Across the city, security employers tend to value:

• Reliability and punctuality – especially for overnight and weekend shifts
• Clear communication – both written (reports) and verbal (interacting with the public)
• Professional appearance – uniforms or business attire, depending on the site
• Good judgment – knowing when to observe and report versus when to act
• Customer service mindset – Atlanta’s hotels, offices, and venues want guards who are approachable, not just watchful

If you’re new to the field, highlight any experience that shows:

• Responsibility (e.g., previous jobs with cash handling or key access)
• Dealing with the public (retail, hospitality, call centers)
• Calm behavior in stressful situations

Working Conditions and Schedules in Atlanta

Security jobs in Atlanta can be very different depending on where you work:

• Downtown / Midtown high-rises

  • Indoor posts, rotating patrols, lobby presence
  • Day, evening, or overnight shifts

• Retail and malls

  • Heavy public interaction
  • Weekends and holidays are common workdays

• Industrial areas and warehouses (near I‑20, I‑285, airport logistics hubs)

  • Large outdoor lots and gate checks
  • Night shifts are frequent

• Events and concerts

  • Irregular hours tied to event schedules
  • High energy, large crowds

When you interview, ask about:

• Shift structure (8, 10, or 12 hours)
• Overtime opportunities
• Post location (indoors vs. outdoors, standing vs. patrolling)
• Uniform and equipment provided

Tips to Break Into Security Work in Atlanta

Here are practical steps if you’re starting from scratch:

1. Get your basic documents in order

   • Valid government-issued ID
   • High school diploma / GED
   • Updated resume highlighting reliability and customer service

2. Apply broadly, but strategically

   • Target both contract security firms and direct-hire employers
   • Consider starting unarmed and pursuing armed roles once you gain experience

3. Invest in simple, recognizable training

   • First Aid / CPR
   • Entry-level security or safety awareness courses

4. Be flexible with shifts at first

   • Overnight, weekend, or short-notice shifts can help you get your foot in the door in Atlanta’s busy market.

5. Ask about advancement

   • Many Atlanta security organizations promote from guard to shift supervisor, site supervisor, dispatcher, or training roles.

Is a Security Job in Atlanta Right for You?

Security work in Atlanta can be a good fit if you:

• Prefer active, on-your-feet work instead of a desk job
• Are comfortable interacting with the public in a big-city environment
• Can stay calm and observant, even late at night or during busy events
• Want an entry point into related fields like law enforcement, corporate security, or public safety

For residents, newcomers, and students in the area, “security jobs Atlanta” can open doors to stable work, steady schedules, and opportunities for long-term growth—all across the city, from Downtown high-rises to airport terminals and suburban campuses.