security officer

security guard

secure driver

patrol officer

flex officer

Pacific Security

Private Security—and really Security as a whole—is a thankless profession. Who you work for can make the job that much more difficult. While Pacific Security isn’t perfect, I’d argue there’s more to love than to loathe. If you’re looking to start a career in Security or need an employer that tries their best to work with your existing commitments and scheduling needs, then seriously consider Pacific.

Your Operations teams (from division to division) are comprised of pleasant, genuinely decent folk. I worked out of the Everett division and for the most part I had a fun time day-in and day-out. Keep in mind—this is a business with ordinary occurrences and work dynamics. You’re not going to like every decision made. But you’re going to like everyone. And for many, that in itself is enough to stick around.

There aren’t many warm body sites that will see you sitting at a desk for 8-12 hours straight so you can goof off and play video games your whole shift. To most, that shouldn’t be a detractor but I know Security well enough… and I ESPECIALLY know what plagues it on an entry-level. I get the game. But save *that* mentality for large providers that don’t hide the fact that you’re just a number. Pacific isn’t a worrisome start up and they aren’t large enough to disregard turnover. 

You’ll start off at relatively low-risk sites (comparative to other companies and what sites they’ll start you at) and you’ll have opportunities to develop critical, transferable skill sets without the fear of losing your income…provided you aren’t committing major violations like substance use, time/property theft, etc. 

Pacific strives to promote internally. I originally worked for the Bellingham division as a Patrol Driver while I attended university. In my 2nd stint, I worked out of the Everett division in a part-time capacity while I had a full-time government security position. Two weeks into working for the Everett division, I was offered a promotion. 

It’s not a place for everyone. The pay rates are what they are. My positions here were far from the highest paying that I’ve ever had. If you’re a seasoned Security professional with every certification available and you’re looking to apply to one of our positions with hopes to negotiate higher than listed wages or to kick someone out of a promoted position, you’re better served looking elsewhere. If you’re seasoned but looking for a pathway to earn more or work your way up into positions of note, I’d recommend starting off part-time and letting your work speak for itself. Sooner than later, opportunities arise and I promise, you will be noticed by a Division Recruiter or Ops Manager. Be communicative with them, do good work for 3-6 months, and you can walk into something great internally or walk away with good references and near enough experience to apply for external elevated levels of duty and pay.

If you’re entry-level, willing, and flexible, the path is definitely there for you to earn even more than your Operations team members and salaried managers through overtime. The nice part about scheduling here is nothing is mandatory regarding overtime—the opportunities are there and will not be forced on you. You may be asked to help cover shifts from time to time, but understand that your cooperation in those instances is still voluntary. Take advantage of the 1.5x pay and the opportunity to look capable and reliable in the eyes of those that can (in time) reward you. 

Again, it’s not a place for everyone. If you want to transition into a profession that ain’t going away anytime soon, that can be surprisingly lucrative if you put the time in… or at the very least, if you can show up on time, do your patrols, provide quality customer service to those present on-site, and write a good report at the end of shift, then it’s a place for you. 


A typical day at work: Peaceful repetition when it comes to patrolling different sites. Dealing with the transient community can be heartbreaking. If you treat them like human beings and give them options outside of simply making them leave, they'll usually comply. The phones they give you are cheap and malfunction regularly enough to impede on your work; especially regarding timed patrols. Everyone at the company knows about the problematic phones, but they'll still act glib if you bring it up. Communication with other drivers was confusing. Supervisors tend to ignore your questions. There's a few great workers that the company is overworking due to the high turnover rate. 

What I believe I learned: I'm new to the area and this was a great way to get to know my way around.

Workplace culture: Confusing, burnt out and bitter. One day I'd be told to do something a specific way and the next day, I'd get reprimanded by the same person for following their instructions. Snide remarks were common. Passive aggressive behavior was common. My interpretation is that most of the employees were too burnt out to have much culture beyond bitterness and snark. It was like trying to save a sinking ship.

The hardest part of the job: trying to interpret what was expected of me when the goal posts were constantly shifting. Trying to maintain steady momentum when my tasks were being undermined by faulty equipment, poor communication skills, persecutory and flippant phone calls from burnt out supervisors and the chaos of being understaffed. 

The most enjoyable part of the job: Creative problem-solving. Having to occasionally de-escalate situations where a homeless person doesn't want to leave a site because they don't know where else they can go. Learning about local resources and having the opportunity to empower the downtrodden to use said resources to improve their quality of life while simultaneously meeting the needs of property owners; depending on what the unspoken rules are that particular day. 

Work life balance is nonexistent. Always covering for jobs done incorrectly or not by post orders. Turnover rate is through the roof high because the pay is horrible, management is the same and ownership is even worse. Good managers never stay because they are taken advantage of and abused. Dangerous work environment physically, and mentally, with no protection or training. I would not be surprised if this placed went bankrupt within the next year or two with how poor work ethics are; ridiculously hostile work environment. If you don't have PTSD before working here, you will after leaving. This place breaks all laws, even looking the other way when not supplying a potty for staff. Do yourself a favor and find another place to work unless you need the money and want something to hold you over until you find real employment, if they don't find a reason to fire you first. Sad little lawbreaking so called company. BTW, no one will make over minimum wage unless you are the same religion as the hiring manager, or flirt with the office employees when you first go to the sad excuse for interviews or the joke of a video training class, then you will receive special treatment and a pay increase. Raises NEVER happen anymore due to yet another change in management; the company is now declining rapidly.

Doing this job, if I wanted more than 24 hours a week (goodbye weekends), I would frequently have to drive over half an hour away (over 30 miles), and of course the vehicle isn't provided, and neither is the money for fuel. PTO was acquired at a snail's pace, and I was able to take a paltry 2 day vacation to see my family after fighting with my manager over company policy regarding PTO usage. It's highly recommended you know Spanish, drink a lot of coffee, and bring a book or something else to do. Manager frequently called while I was sleeping to tell me he was scheduling a shift for later that totally disrupted my sleep schedule from working the 12 hour night shifts on weekends, and frequently forgot about things and used passive aggressive techniques to try and get me to work shifts and sites that aren't worth the pay at $12/hr. Hours dropped off horribly after summer. Absolutely ridiculous turnover, out of the 4 guys I started this job with, I am the only one currently remaining, and not for very much longer.

Working security elsewhere is one of the best opportunities I've worked in my entire career. However, Pacific Security does not provide a professional, inclusive or a reasonable culture. Normally a negative culture starts from the top. A common theme at Pacific is that 'management' has trouble listening to state licensed security officers and trainers. Normally when a situation arises, the management will blame officers, and more shocking- the paying client. The questionable training in the security field, poor professionalism and lack of etiquette are some examples of this operation. Most security firms have a reasonable objective to accomplish daily. That being said, the rude and hostile comments under upper management's breath are "the normal" at this company. 

If you call for assistance, do not expect a friendly conversation with management. The questionable critical thinking skills from upper management is also common. 

You have a choice to work anywhere, make a more reasonable and sensible choice. Good luck on your job and career search.

I have worked for pacific for about 7-8 months. I never know where my next post will be because they change my schedule without warning all the time. I’ve learned a bit about observations, enforcing rules and being aware of surroundings. The management is scary bad. As I mentioned before, no warning with schedule changes, the management will listen to your side which is a good thing, but you have remind them over and over to get something going. I asked for a raise 4 months ago and was told they’d give me 0.50 raise. I’ve reminded management 7 times now about my raise and they’ve yet to do it. Management also won’t tell you if they add a shift to your schedule sometimes. Also, they view every employee as replaceable and if you make a mistake, your let go like the trash they think you are. Positives of this job though are you meet and build Report with many people. You also get the chance to learn skills that you can use later in life. 

Licensed Security Officer - Olympia, WA
I've been working for this company for long enough to know where I want to spend my time for work. That being said, there's a reason why a state certified trainer, 3 different personnel directors, and nearly every supervisor has left this company based in Olympia shaking their heads. I implore you to seriously reconsider working for this company. If you're curious about training, i'd rate the training as close to zero as possible. Little-to-no knowledge, skill sets, limited training, and even less common sense. Questionable critical thinking skills from upper management. If you're serious about moving into an adjacent career field, such as corrections or law enforcement, then I recommend other, more professional security firms . Thank you for your time.

Worse company I have ever worked for. The pay is a joke, no benefits,  no chances for advancement. The harder you work and are showing dedication the worse off you are. Almost every single coworker I have met has been completely incompetent. The provide no training even though they company website states the guards are all properly trained. All supervisors and upper management make "guarantees" and training and certifications but it never happens. Get given the runaround about every single thing you ask about, safety concerns get ignored.  Came to the company with security experience and highly military trained with three combat developments and have constantly been talked to like I'm an idiot that doesn't know anything.  They have no concern at all for their employees. Save yourself the trouble and look for another company to work for.
I would give negative stars if I could. 

The guards I worked with are decent people who are understanding of all backgrounds. I stay in contact with many of our fmr. guards and have moved on to bigger and better things. You will be asked multiple times to cover shifts by decision makers. At first its ok, then overtime it becomes unprofessional. It can be scary working in an environment that is potentially dangerous. Working at pacific security is a job that you tolerate. If you want to learn proper security practices, I recommend firms that adequately teach professional security standards. The upper management and those with decision maker titles is where things take an unprofessional turn. This is the main reason  why I left and moved on to a firm that pays better. The other firm I work at now hired me immediately. 

I've been working for this company for long enough to know where I want to spend my time for work. That being said, there's a reason why a state certified trainer, 3 different personnel directors, and nearly every supervisor has left this company based in Olympia shaking their heads. I implore you to seriously reconsider working for this company. If you're curious about training, i'd rate the training as close to zero as possible. Little-to-no knowledge, skill sets, limited training, and even less common sense. Questionable critical thinking skills from upper management. If you're serious about moving into an adjacent career field, such as corrections or law enforcement, then I recommend other, more professional security firms . Thank you for your time.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Security officer 96 salaries reported	$18.62 per hour
Security guard 26 salaries reported	$18.61 per hour
Secure driver 67 salaries reported	$19.08 per hour
Patrol officer 7 salaries reported	$19.71 per hour
Flex officer 8 salaries reported	$18.80 per hour

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