Rhode Island Median
$36,940
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.76
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-3% vs US median
US median $38,020
State Rank
#35 of 51
3,160 employed here
How much does a Security Guard make in Rhode Island?
Security Guards in Rhode Island take home a median of $36,940 annually — roughly $17.76 an hour — which runs 3% below the national median of $38,020.
Within Rhode Island, entry-level pay starts around $31,200 while the top 10% make $48,520 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,370 and $44,510 a year.
Security Guard salary range in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $34,370 | $16.52 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $36,940 | $17.76 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $44,510 | $21.40 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,520 | $23.33 |
|
How Rhode Island compares
Rhode Island ranks 35th 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 $39,840Illinois $39,490North 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 $37,050Indiana $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 Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island pay ($36,940) 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 Rhode Island?
The median Security Guard salary in Rhode Island is $36,940 per year, or about $17.76 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,200 at the entry level to $48,520 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Rhode Island pay compare to the national average?
Rhode Island pays Security Guards about 3% less than the national median of $38,020. Rhode Island ranks 35th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Rhode Island a good state for Security Guards?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $36,940 a year. About 3,160 Security Guards are employed in Rhode Island. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Rhode Island?
The highest-paying occupations in Rhode Island include Emergency Medicine Physician ($512,730), Family Medicine Physician ($467,160), Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($450,370), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Security Guard salary report
Related salaries
$51,220
median pay · 36,000 employed
$33,580
median pay · 158,000 employed
$45,660
median pay · 12,000 employed
$38,100
median pay · 94,000 employed
$43,370
median pay · 10,000 employed
$42,540
median pay · 82,000 employed
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.