Illinois Median
$39,490
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.99
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+4% vs US median
US median $38,020
State Rank
#19 of 51
53,830 employed here
How much does a Security Guard make in Illinois?
A Security Guard working in Illinois earns a median salary of $39,490 per year, or about $18.99 per hour. That is 4% above the national median of $38,020 for this occupation.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $35,520 while the top 10% make $63,950 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,060 and $46,360 a year.
Security Guard salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,520 | $17.08 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $37,060 | $17.82 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $39,490 | $18.99 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $46,360 | $22.29 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,950 | $30.75 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 19th out of 51 states and territories for Security Guard pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Security Guard salary in other states
District of Columbia $64,210Alaska $47,480Washington $47,100Vermont $45,550Oregon $45,500New Hampshire $45,200Colorado $45,150Massachusetts $44,670New York $44,240Virginia $43,640Minnesota $43,380New Mexico $43,320California $43,240Hawaii $42,820Utah $42,700Missouri $40,390Connecticut $39,920Nebraska $39,840North Dakota $39,310Wyoming $39,200Maine $39,100New Jersey $38,880Montana $38,480Idaho $38,300Arizona $38,290Maryland $38,220Wisconsin $37,440Nevada $37,310South Dakota $37,150Iowa $37,080Kansas $37,080Michigan $37,080Pennsylvania $37,050Rhode Island $36,940Indiana $36,490Delaware $36,360Oklahoma $36,270Tennessee $36,000Texas $35,980Florida $35,900Arkansas $35,770Ohio $35,770South Carolina $35,460Kentucky $35,420North Carolina $35,010Georgia $34,980Alabama $33,720Louisiana $32,240Mississippi $29,180West Virginia $28,800
Working as a Security Guard in Illinois
Nationally, about 1,283,000 people work as Security Guards in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($39,490) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Security Guard make in Illinois?
The median Security Guard salary in Illinois is $39,490 per year, or about $18.99 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,520 at the entry level to $63,950 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Security Guards about 4% more than the national median of $38,020. Illinois ranks 19th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Security Guards?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $39,490 a year. About 53,830 Security Guards are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Security Guard salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.