Tennessee Median
$36,000
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.31
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-5% vs US median
US median $38,020
State Rank
#39 of 51
27,690 employed here
How much does a Security Guard make in Tennessee?
A Security Guard working in Tennessee earns a median salary of $36,000 per year, or about $17.31 per hour. That is 5% below the national median of $38,020 for this occupation.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $29,310 while the top 10% make $51,680 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $30,850 and $40,620 a year.
Security Guard salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,310 | $14.09 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $30,850 | $14.83 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $36,000 | $17.31 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $40,620 | $19.53 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,680 | $24.85 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 39th 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 $37,050Rhode Island $36,940Indiana $36,490Delaware $36,360Oklahoma $36,270Texas $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 Tennessee
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 Tennessee pay ($36,000) 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 Tennessee?
The median Security Guard salary in Tennessee is $36,000 per year, or about $17.31 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $29,310 at the entry level to $51,680 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Security Guards about 5% less than the national median of $38,020. Tennessee ranks 39th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Security Guards?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $36,000 a year. About 27,690 Security Guards are employed in Tennessee. 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 Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), 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.