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If you’ve ever spotted an armored truck on the road or you’ve previously worked in the security industry, you may have wondered what it’s like to work for an armored truck company. Perhaps you’ve even considered a career as an armored truck driver or guard. The armored truck industry is a vital service that provides logistics and operational support to businesses, government agencies, and other organizations each and every day. Like all industries, armored transportation has changed over time, but offers exciting and rewarding opportunities. Working for an armored truck company has the potential to be a fulfilling career filled with exciting challenges, meeting new people, and protecting clients’ most valuable assets.
Armored truck drivers and guards are a subset of highly skilled and expertly trained security personnel who are responsible for guarding and transporting valuables from one location to another in an armored vehicle, usually a truck. The types of valuable assets they transport can be anything from cash and coins to gold, jewels, and artwork.
Every armored truck requires two people to operate it effectively. One person serves as the driver and the other as a guard. The driver is responsible for operating the truck or, in some cases, other types of armed, secure vehicles, while the guard is responsible for watching over the cargo. Both of these guards are armed, and their primary role is to transport valuable assets, protecting them against theft, loss, and accidents. They are also tasked with performing basic care and maintenance for their vehicles, adhering to local traffic laws, and filling out paperwork related to all of their pick-ups and drop offs.
Each day, armored truck personnel begin by picking deliveries, then heading out to transfer them to their next destination. They are also responsible for loading and unloading cargo from their vehicles. It is not uncommon for armored truck personnel to be asked to change up routes and locations frequently for security reasons, so while the work itself may be repetitive, no two days are exactly the same.
There is certainly a degree of risk involved in the day to day life of armored truck personnel. For starters, they must always be armed and on high alert because safety is the highest priority. Vehicles are bullet-resistant and built to withstand attacks, but it is up to the driver and the guard to behave safely, follow protocols, and minimize risk in any given situation. In the event of a threat or attack, the driver must be able to navigate the vehicle and the valuable cargo it contains out of harm’s way.
Though it is unlikely, armored truck drivers and guards must be prepared for an attack. Should a dangerous situation arise, armored truck personnel are allowed to use whatever force is necessary to ensure safety and to prevent a robbery.
The only mandatory educational requirement to become an armored truck driver or guard is a high school diploma, though additional education may be required for leadership positions. Drivers must have a valid driver’s license, and all prospective employees must have clean criminal records and be willing to agree to a background check. Some states enforce an age requirement that states that all armed security personnel must be over the age of 21. All armored truck drivers and guards must have the permits or licenses necessary for carrying a firearm in their state.
At Blue Line Protection Group, our team of armored truck drivers and guards receive intensive on-the-job training to complement any previous experience they may have to ensure the highest quality service at every turn. Our team members exhibit excellent interpersonal skills, are trustworthy, organized and dedicated, working tirelessly to ensure peace of mind for each and every one of our clients.
As of 2018, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS, estimated that there were over 1.1 million security personnel actively working within the United States. That figure includes armored truck drivers. Furthermore, the BLS also projected that security guards can expect to see up to four percent growth in overall employment by 2028, an average that keeps up steadily with other types of professions. (1)
In 2018, the BLS reported that the average salary for security guards across all areas of the security field was $29,000, however armored truck drivers and guards tend to report higher wages. The salary range for armored truck personnel varies from region to region and is also largely based on experience, skills, and certifications. Typically armored truck personnel will have salaries that fall between $33,000 and $50,000 per year.
