Unarmed Security Officer Jobs Chicago IL

Overview

Unarmed Security Officer Jobs in Chicago: The Largest Category

Unarmed officers make up the biggest share of security work in Chicago, and the Loop is the center of it. Titan Security Group, a Chicago company since 1994 with more than 3,600 officers, staffs unarmed flex and lobby posts inside landmark towers like Willis Tower and the Class A high-rises along Wacker and LaSalle. Monterrey Security covers large venues and events, Allied Universal and Securitas hold corporate and retail accounts across the metro, and regional firms like SecureOne, St. Moritz, and Per Mar cover residential high-rises and suburban sites. Most posts ask only for a valid Illinois PERC card and the 20-hour training course, which keeps the barrier to entry low and openings steady.

Demand runs from the downtown core out to the collar suburbs: Naperville, Joliet, Schaumburg, Oak Brook, and Orland Park all carry corporate-campus and warehouse accounts. Pay for unarmed work in Chicago generally runs $18 to $20 an hour, with lead and Class A downtown posts reaching higher. One shift worth knowing: the CTA ended its large unarmed-guard contract in 2026 and moved transit security toward sworn officers and K-9 units, so the growth in unarmed hiring now sits with private building, healthcare, and campus accounts rather than transit. Turnover across the industry is constant, so new openings appear year-round, and candidates who apply within a day or two have the best shot at a callback.

Role Overview

What Unarmed Security Officers Do in Chicago

Unarmed officers control access, staff front desks and lobbies, run patrol rounds, monitor camera systems, and write incident reports. The focus is presence, observation, and de-escalation rather than force. In Chicago the most common posts are Class A office lobbies in the Loop and West Loop, concierge-style desks at Gold Coast, Streeterville, and South Loop residential high-rises, and healthcare campuses like Northwestern Memorial, Rush, and UChicago Medicine, where officers manage visitor screening and emergency-department access.

Many officers start unarmed and move into armed, overnight, or specialized roles once they have logged hours and built a clean record. Customer service, retail, hospitality, and military backgrounds all transfer well. The front-desk and lobby posts that dominate Chicago unarmed work reward people who can stay calm, communicate clearly, and handle tenants and visitors professionally.

Duties

Common Duties & Responsibilities

Access control and visitor screening at building entrances and lobbies
Foot patrol of floors, garages, grounds, and stairwells
Monitoring CCTV and alarm systems from a security desk
Writing daily activity logs and incident reports
Responding to disturbances, medical calls, and alarms, and escalating as needed
Enforcing site rules and escorting staff or visitors when requested

Compensation

What This Role Pays in Chicago

Chicago unarmed security officers typically earn $18 to $20 an hour. Titan, Monterrey, Allied Universal, and Securitas all cluster in that range for standard lobby and patrol posts. Entry-level retail and residential posts start lower; experienced officers and leads at Class A downtown towers earn more, and overnight and weekend shifts usually add a $1 to $2 differential.

Entry Level

$17-18/hr

~$35k-37k/yr

Experienced

$19-21/hr

~$40k-44k/yr

Lead / Senior

$22-24/hr

~$46k-50k/yr

Requirements

What You Need

Valid Illinois PERC card (Permanent Employee Registration Card)
Completion of the 20-hour IDFPR-approved training course
Minimum age 18; high school diploma or GED
Clean background check and fingerprinting
Reliable transportation and dependable attendance
Strong communication and de-escalation skills

Getting Started

How To Get Started

Apply through BlackBarJobs alerts or directly to firms like Allied Universal, Securitas, Titan, and GardaWorld
Start your PERC application through the IDFPR CORE online system
Complete the 20-hour approved training course if you have not already
Most sites offer full-time, part-time, and weekend schedules
Downtown and hospital posts run day, evening, and overnight shifts

FAQ

Security Job FAQs

Common questions from security officer job seekers in Chicago.

Do I need a PERC card for unarmed security jobs in Chicago?

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Yes. Illinois requires a PERC card and completion of the 20-hour approved training to work as an unarmed security officer. Some employers hire candidates who are still in the process and allow a short window to finish.

How much do unarmed security officers make in Chicago?

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Most unarmed roles pay about 18 to 20 dollars an hour. Entry-level lobby and retail posts start a bit lower, while leads and Class A downtown sites pay more. Overnight and weekend shifts often add a differential.

Can I get an unarmed security job with no experience?

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Yes. Many unarmed roles are entry-level. A PERC card, a clean background check, and reliable transportation are usually the core requirements. Customer service, retail, military, and hospitality backgrounds all count.

What kinds of sites hire unarmed officers in Chicago?

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Downtown high-rise lobbies, hospitals, corporate campuses, universities, retail centers, and residential buildings are the most common. These make up the bulk of security work in the metro.

How fast can I start working?

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Once your PERC and 20-hour training are done, hiring can move quickly. Applying within the first day or two of a posting gives you the best shot, since roles fill fast.

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