Analysis
NAICS 561612 is the 2022 national industry for security guards and patrol services, part of 56161 (Investigation, Guard, and Armored Car Services). Census lists 12 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 11,104 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 799,400 people at an average annual payroll of $31,538 per employee (5th percentile of national industries). 31% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 17% and employment rose 4%. The 2018 count used NAICS 2017, so part of a large move can come from codes being redefined rather than from businesses opening or closing.
By establishments it ranks 1st of the 3 codes at this level within Investigation, Guard, and Armored Car Services, with 69.9% of them.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include body guard services, guard dog services, guard services and parking security services, among 12 in all.
Census lists 3 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 561613, 56162 and 922120. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.
Official definition
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing guard and patrol services, such as bodyguard, guard dog, and parking security services.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Picking up and delivering money, receipts, or other valuable items | 561613 Armored Car Services |
| Selling, installing, monitoring, and maintaining security systems and devices, such as burglar and fire alarms and locking devices | 56162 Security Systems Services |
| Government establishments primarily engaged in criminal and civil law enforcement, police, traffic safety, and similar activities related to the enforcement of law | 922120 Police Protection |
Index entries (12)
- Body guard services
- Guard dog services
- Guard services
- Parking security services
- Patrol services, security
- Personal protection services (except security systems services)
- Private police services
- Property protection services (except armored car, security systems)
- Protection services (except armored car, security systems), personal or property
- Protective guard services
- Security guard services
- Security patrol services