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Labor Laws for Security Officers in All 50 States: Complete Guide

Labor Laws for Security Officers in All 50 States: Complete Guide

Learn all about labor laws for security officers across all 50 states. Our guide breaks down minimum wages and both federal and state-specific regulations.

Published on
December 19, 2024
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Ever wonder if you should move to a state with more favorable security officer labor laws? Wages, breaks, and overtime pay can vary by state. 

Some states, like Washington, have a minimum wage of $19.97 per hour, while in Arkansas it’s $11. States like Alaska protect overtime pay, and Colorado makes sure officers get a 30-minute break after 5 hours. But that’s not all. 

Read on to learn: 

  • Federal labor standards every officer should know
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  • A breakdown of wages, breaks, and overtime rules by state
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  • Unique state laws and protections that could affect your job

Let's start by understanding federal labor laws that apply to security officers.

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General labor law protections for security officers

To ensure fair treatment and safe working conditions, it's important to understand the core labor laws that protect security officers. These laws cover a range of aspects, from basic compensation to essential safety standards. Let’s take a closer look:

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Minimum wage, overtime, and working conditions

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) establishes a federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, which serves as the lowest permissible wage for security officers. It's important to be aware that individual states may have higher minimum wage standards.

The FLSA also mandates overtime pay at a rate of one and a half times the regular rate for hours worked in excess of 40 within a work week. Some states have additional overtime requirements, such as overtime pay for daily hours worked beyond a specific limit.

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Breaks, meal periods, and safety standards

Federal law does not explicitly mandate breaks. Regardless, many states have implemented their regulations about rest periods and meal breaks, particularly for extended shifts. These laws often detail the frequency and duration of breaks.

Security officers frequently encounter workplace hazards. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) establishes national standards to protect workers from these hazards. Key OSHA provisions include:

  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Employers are obligated to provide necessary PPE, such as gloves, masks, and eye protection, as appropriate for the job.
  • Training: Security officers must receive training on managing potential workplace dangers, including handling aggressive individuals and emergency response.
  • Reporting safety concerns: Officers have the right to report unsafe working conditions without fear of reprisal.

State laws may provide additional or stricter workplace safety regulations beyond federal standards. In the next section, we’ll go over each state’s labor laws for security officers. 

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Labor laws for security guards in each state

Federal regulations provide a baseline, but each state may have specific requirements that go above and beyond these standards. For instance, California labor laws for security officers may be slightly different from those of New York. 

Here’s an overview of key labor laws for security guards in each state:

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1. Alabama

  • Minimum wage: Follows the federal minimum wage.
  • Overtime rules: Standard federal overtime laws apply.
  • Breaks & meal periods: No state requirements; follows federal guidelines.
  • Unique provisions: None specific to security officers.

Source: Alabama Department of Labor

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2. Alaska

  • Minimum wage: $10.85 per hour.
  • Overtime rules: 1.5x pay after 8 hours/day or 40 hours/week, whichever is greater.
  • Breaks & meal periods: No state requirements; follows federal guidelines.
  • Unique provisions: None specific to security officers.

Source: Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development

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3. Arizona

  • Minimum wage: $13.85 per hour.
  • Overtime rules: Standard federal overtime laws apply.
  • Breaks & meal periods: No state requirements; follows federal guidelines.
  • Unique provisions: None specific to security officers.

Source: Industrial Commission of Arizona

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4. Arkansas

  • Minimum wage: $11.00 per hour.
  • Overtime rules: Standard federal overtime laws apply.
  • Breaks & meal periods: No state requirements; follows federal guidelines.
  • Unique provisions: None specific to security officers.

Source: Arkansas Department of Labor & Licensing

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5. California

  • Minimum wage: $16 per hour; varies by city and employer size.
  • Overtime rules: 1.5x pay after 8 hours/day, double pay after 12 hours.
  • Breaks & meal periods: 30-minute meal breaks after 5 hours, 10-minute rest breaks every 4 hours.
  • Unique provisions: California labor laws for security guards include strong protections for union rights in private security; and stricter regulations for armed guards.

Source: California Department of Industrial Relations

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6. Colorado

  • Minimum wage: $13.65 per hour.
  • Overtime rules: 1.5x pay after 40 hours/week or 12 hours/day, whichever is greater.
  • Breaks & meal periods: 30-minute meal breaks after 5 hours.
  • Unique provisions: None specific to security officers.

Source: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment

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7. Connecticut

  • Minimum wage: $14.00 per hour.
  • Overtime rules: Standard federal overtime laws apply.
  • Breaks & meal periods: 30-minute meal breaks after 6 hours.
  • Unique provisions: None specific to security officers.

Source: Connecticut Department of Labor

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8. Delaware

  • Minimum wage: $11.75 per hour.
  • Overtime rules: Standard federal overtime laws apply.
  • Breaks & meal periods: No state requirements; follows federal guidelines.
  • Unique provisions: None specific to security officers.

Source: Delaware Department of Labor

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9. Florida

  • Minimum wage: $11.00 per hour.
  • Overtime rules: Standard federal overtime laws apply.
  • Breaks & meal periods: No state requirements; follows federal guidelines.
  • Unique provisions: Security guard companies are required to be registered with the state.

Source: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

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10. Georgia

  • Minimum wage: Follows the federal minimum wage.
  • Overtime rules: Standard federal overtime laws apply.
  • Breaks & meal periods: No state requirements; follows federal guidelines.
  • Unique provisions: None specific to security officers.

Source: Georgia Department of Labor

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11. Hawaii

  • Minimum wage: $12.00 per hour.
  • Overtime rules: 1.5x pay after 40 hours/week.
  • Breaks & meal periods: 30-minute meal breaks after 5 hours.
  • Unique provisions: None specific to security officers.

Source: Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

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12. Idaho

  • Minimum wage: Follows the federal minimum wage.
  • Overtime rules: Standard federal overtime laws apply.
  • Breaks & meal periods: No state requirements; follows federal guidelines.
  • Unique provisions: None specific to security officers.

Source: Idaho Department of Labor

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13. Illinois

  • Minimum wage: $13.00 per hour; $14.00 per hour in Cook County.
  • Overtime rules: Standard federal overtime laws apply.
  • Breaks & meal periods: 20-minute meal breaks after 7.5 hours.
  • Unique provisions: Requires security officer training and licensing.

Source: Illinois Department of Labor 

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14. Indiana

  • Minimum wage: Follows the federal minimum wage.
  • Overtime rules: Standard federal overtime laws apply.
  • Breaks & meal periods: No state requirements; follows federal guidelines.
  • Unique provisions: None specific to security officers.

Source: Indiana Department of Labor 

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15. Iowa

  • Minimum wage: Follows the federal minimum wage.
  • Overtime rules: Standard federal overtime laws apply.
  • Breaks & meal periods: No state requirements; follows federal guidelines.
  • Unique provisions: None specific to security officers.

Source: Iowa Workforce Development

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16. Kansas

  • Minimum wage: Follows the federal minimum wage.
  • Overtime rules: Standard federal overtime laws apply.
  • Breaks & meal periods: No state requirements; follows federal guidelines.
  • Unique provisions: None specific to security officers.

Source: Kansas Department of Labor

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17. Kentucky

  • Minimum wage: Follows the federal minimum wage.
  • Overtime rules: Standard federal overtime laws apply.
  • Breaks & meal periods: No state requirements; follows federal guidelines.
  • Unique provisions: None specific to security officers.

Source: Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet 

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18. Louisiana

  • Minimum wage: Follows the federal minimum wage.
  • Overtime rules: Standard federal overtime laws apply.
  • Breaks & meal periods: No state requirements; follows federal guidelines.
  • Unique provisions: Licensing required for security officers.

Source: Louisiana Workforce Commission

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19. Maine

  • Minimum wage: $13.80 per hour.
  • Overtime rules: 1.5x pay after 40 hours/week.
  • Breaks & meal periods: 30-minute meal breaks after 6 hours.
  • Unique provisions: None specific to security officers.

Source: Maine Department of Labor

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20. Maryland

  • Minimum wage: $13.25 per hour; varies by county.
  • Overtime rules: Standard federal overtime laws apply.
  • Breaks & meal periods: 30-minute meal breaks after 5 hours.
  • Unique provisions: Licensing and training requirements for security officers.

Source: Maryland Department of Labor

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21. Massachusetts

Source: Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development

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22. Michigan

Source: Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity 

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23. Minnesota

  • Minimum wage: $10.59 per hour; higher in Minneapolis.
  • Overtime rules: 1.5x pay after 48 hours/week.
  • Breaks & meal periods: 30-minute meal breaks after 5 hours.
  • Unique provisions: None specific to security officers.

Source: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry 

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24. Mississippi

  • Minimum wage: Follows the federal minimum wage.
  • Overtime rules: Standard federal overtime laws apply.
  • Breaks & meal periods: No state requirements; follows federal guidelines.
  • Unique provisions: None specific to security officers.

Source: Mississippi Department of Employment Security 

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25. Missouri

  • Minimum wage: $12.30 per hour.
  • Overtime rules: Standard federal overtime laws apply.
  • Breaks & meal periods: No state requirements; follows federal guidelines.
  • Unique provisions: Licensing requirements for security officers.

Source: Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

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26. Montana

  • Minimum wage: $9.95 per hour.
  • Overtime rules: 1.5x pay after 40 hours/week.
  • Breaks & meal periods: No state requirements; follows federal guidelines.
  • Unique provisions: None specific to security officers.

Source: Montana Department of Labor & Industry 

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27. Nebraska

  • Minimum wage: $12 per hour.
  • Overtime rules: Standard federal overtime laws apply.
  • Breaks & meal periods: No state requirements; follows federal guidelines.
  • Unique provisions: None specific to security officers.

Source: Nebraska Department of Labor 

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28. Nevada

  • Minimum wage: $12 per hour.
  • Overtime rules: 1.5x pay after 8 hours/day or 40 hours/week, whichever is greater.
  • Breaks & meal periods: 30-minute meal breaks after 5 hours.
  • Unique provisions: Registration is required for security officers.

Source: Nevada Office of the Labor Commissioner 

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29. New Hampshire

  • Minimum wage: Follows the federal minimum wage.
  • Overtime rules: Standard federal overtime laws apply.
  • Breaks & meal periods: No state requirements; follows federal guidelines.
  • Unique provisions: None specific to security officers.

Source: New Hampshire Department of Labor 

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30. New Jersey

Source: New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development 

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31. New Mexico

  • Minimum wage: $12.00 per hour.
  • Overtime rules: New Mexico uniquely requires that the overtime rate must also be paid for hours worked on the seventh consecutive day of work in a workweek.
  • Breaks & meal periods: No state requirements; follows federal guidelines.
  • Unique provisions: Licensing requirements for security officers.

Source: New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions

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32. New York

Source: New York State Department of Labor 

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33. North Carolina

  • Minimum wage: Follows the federal minimum wage.
  • Overtime rules: Standard federal overtime laws apply.
  • Breaks & meal periods: No state requirements; follows federal guidelines.
  • Union rights and protections: In a "Right-to-work" state like this, employees cannot be compelled to join a union as a condition of employment.
  • Unique provisions: Registration is required for security guard companies.

Source: North Carolina Department of Labor 

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34. North Dakota

  • Minimum wage: Follows the federal minimum wage.
  • Overtime rules: Standard federal overtime laws apply.
  • Breaks & meal periods: No state requirements; follows federal guidelines.
  • Unique provisions: None specific to security officers.

Source: North Dakota Department of Labor and Human Rights

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35. Ohio

Source: Ohio Department of Commerce 

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36. Oklahoma

  • Minimum wage: Follows the federal minimum wage.
  • Overtime rules: Standard federal overtime laws apply.
  • Breaks & meal periods: No state requirements; follows federal guidelines.
  • Union rights and protections: In a "Right-to-work" state like this, employees cannot be compelled to join a union as a condition of employment.
  • Unique provisions: Licensing requirements for armed security officers.

Source: Oklahoma Department of Labor 

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37. Oregon

Source: Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries 

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38. Pennsylvania

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry

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39. Rhode Island

  • Minimum wage: $13.00 per hour.
  • Overtime rules: 1.5x pay after 40 hours/week.
  • Breaks & meal periods: 20-minute meal breaks after 5 hours.
  • Unique provisions: None specific to security officers.

Source: Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training 

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40. South Carolina

  • Minimum wage: Follows the federal minimum wage.
  • Overtime rules: Standard federal overtime laws apply.
  • Breaks & meal periods: No state requirements; follows federal guidelines.
  • Union rights and protections: In a "Right-to-work" state like this, employees cannot be compelled to join a union as a condition of employment.
  • Unique provisions: Licensing requirements for security officers.

Source: South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation

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41. South Dakota

  • Minimum wage: $11.20 per hour.
  • Overtime rules: Standard federal overtime laws apply.
  • Breaks & meal periods: No state requirements; follows federal guidelines.
  • Unique Provisions: None specific to security officers.

Source: South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation 

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42. Tennessee

  • Minimum wage: Follows the federal minimum wage.
  • Overtime rules: Standard federal overtime laws apply.
  • Breaks & meal periods: Employers in Tennessee are not required to provide short breaks to employees. According to Code 50-2-103, employers must provide employees scheduled to work for six consecutive hours with a 30-minute unpaid meal break.
  • Union rights and protections: In a "Right-to-work" state like this, employees cannot be compelled to join a union as a condition of employment.
  • Unique provisions: Registration is required for security guard companies and individual officers.

Source: Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development

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43. Texas

  • Minimum wage: Follows the federal minimum wage.
  • Overtime rules: Employers must pay all qualifying employees at least time-and-a-half for any hours worked over 40 in a single workweek.
  • Breaks & meal periods: No state requirements; follows federal guidelines.
  • Union rights and protections: In a "Right-to-work" state like this, employees cannot be compelled to join a union as a condition of employment.
  • Unique provisions: The Texas Private Security Act governs licensing and regulations for security officers, including specific requirements for those carrying firearms.

Source: Texas Department of Public Safety

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44. Utah

  • Minimum wage: Follows the federal minimum wage.
  • Overtime rules: Standard federal overtime laws apply.
  • Breaks & meal periods: No state requirements; follows federal guidelines.
  • Unique Provisions: None specific to security officers.

Source: Utah Labor Commission

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45. Vermont

  • Minimum wage: $13.67 per hour.
  • Overtime rules: 1.5x pay after 40 hours/week.
  • Breaks & meal periods: 30-minute meal breaks after 5 hours.
  • Unique provisions: None specific to security officers.

Source: Vermont Department of Labor 

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46. Virginia

  • Minimum wage: $12.00 per hour.
  • Overtime rules: Standard federal overtime laws apply.
  • Breaks & meal periods: No state requirements; follows federal guidelines.
  • Union rights and protections: In a "Right-to-work" state like this, employees cannot be compelled to join a union as a condition of employment.
  • Unique provisions: Registration is required for security guard companies.

Source: Virginia Department of Labor and Industry 

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47. Washington

Source: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 

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48. West Virginia

  • Minimum wage: Follows the federal minimum wage.
  • Overtime rules: Standard federal overtime laws apply.
  • Breaks & meal periods: No state requirements; follows federal guidelines.
  • Union rights and protections: In a "Right-to-work" state like this, employees cannot be compelled to join a union as a condition of employment.
  • Unique provisions: Registration is required for security guard companies.

Source: West Virginia Division of Labor 

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49. Wisconsin

  • Minimum wage: Follows the federal minimum wage.
  • Overtime rules: Standard federal overtime laws apply.
  • Breaks & meal periods: No state requirements; follows federal guidelines.
  • Unique provisions: Licensing requirements for security officers.

Source: Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development 

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50. Wyoming

  • Minimum wage: Follows the federal minimum wage.
  • Overtime rules: Standard federal overtime laws apply.
  • Breaks & meal periods: No state requirements; follows federal guidelines.
  • Unique provisions: None specific to security officers.

Source: Wyoming Department of Workforce Services 

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Key takeaways on labor law compliance for security officers

 Here are some key takeaways for employers and those managing security personnel:

  • Stay informed: Labor laws for security guards are subject to change. Regularly review and update your knowledge of federal and state regulations to ensure ongoing compliance.
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  • Keep records: Accurate record-keeping is vital. Make sure your systems track hours worked, breaks taken, and any overtime accurately to show compliance and simplify payroll processes.
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  • Prioritize training and communication: Educate security personnel and managers about relevant labor laws and company policies. Foster open communication channels to address questions and concerns promptly.
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  • Conduct periodic audits: Implement a system for periodic internal audits to assess compliance with labor laws and spot any areas needing improvement.
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  • Consult legal counsel when necessary: For complex labor law issues or potential disputes, seek guidance from legal professionals specializing in employment law.

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Resources for security guards: Where to seek help

Here are a few key places security guards can turn to for support:

  • State labor boards: Each state has its own labor board or agency responsible for enforcing labor laws for security officers. These boards can provide valuable information, guidance, and even assistance with filing complaints. 

    We've also included links to each state's labor board throughout this guide, so be sure to refer to those.
  • Legal aid resources: If you need legal help but can't afford an attorney, some organizations offer free or low-cost legal aid. You can find these resources by searching "legal aid [your city/state]" online or by contacting your local bar association.
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  • Unions and worker support groups: Several organizations advocate for security officer rights and provide support to workers facing workplace challenges. These groups can offer resources, advice, and even legal representation in some cases. 

Some examples include:

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How Belfry helps security firms stay compliant

We've explored the ins and outs of labor laws for security officers across the 50 states. Now, let's discuss how Belfry can simplify compliance and streamline your operations.

Belfry is an end-to-end security management platform designed to alleviate the burden of compliance with labor laws, allowing you to focus on your core business.

Here's how Belfry helps:

  • Automated time and attendance tracking: Do away with manual timesheets and reduce errors. Belfry accurately tracks work hours, including overtime, ensuring accurate pay and helping you adhere to wage and hour laws across all states.  
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  • Integrated break management: Monitor and enforce compliance with meal and rest break requirements, no matter the state. Belfry tracks breaks, sends automated reminders, and flags any missed breaks.
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  • Compliance support tools: Effortlessly manage employee licenses, certifications, and training records within Belfry. Our centralized system helps make sure your security team meets all requirements, reducing compliance risks across various jurisdictions.
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  • Automated overtime calculations: Avoid payroll errors and ensure compliance with overtime regulations. Belfry automatically calculates overtime pay based on state-specific rules and employee work schedules.  
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  • Centralized record-keeping: Maintain organized and easily accessible employee records, including payroll history, break logs, and compliance documentation. This facilitates record-keeping and simplifies audits.  

Schedule a Free Demo Today.