West Virginia Median
$28,800
per year
Hourly Rate
$13.85
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-24% vs US median
US median $38,020
State Rank
#51 of 51
5,200 employed here
How much does a Security Guard make in West Virginia?
Security Guards in West Virginia take home a median of $28,800 annually — roughly $13.85 an hour — which runs 24% below the national median of $38,020.
Within West Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $20,800 while the top 10% make $47,370 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $20,800 and $35,990 a year.
Security Guard salary range in West Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $20,800 | $10.00 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $20,800 | $10.00 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $28,800 | $13.85 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $35,990 | $17.30 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,370 | $22.77 |
|
How West Virginia compares
West Virginia ranks 51st 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 $36,270Tennessee $36,000Texas $35,980Florida $35,900Arkansas $35,770Ohio $35,770South Carolina $35,460Kentucky $35,420North Carolina $35,010Georgia $34,980Alabama $33,720Louisiana $32,240Mississippi $29,180
Working as a Security Guard in West Virginia
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 West Virginia pay ($28,800) 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 West Virginia?
The median Security Guard salary in West Virginia is $28,800 per year, or about $13.85 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $20,800 at the entry level to $47,370 for the top 10% of earners.
How does West Virginia pay compare to the national average?
West Virginia pays Security Guards about 24% less than the national median of $38,020. West Virginia ranks 51st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is West Virginia a good state for Security Guards?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $28,800 a year. About 5,200 Security Guards are employed in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in West Virginia include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($597,740), Emergency Medicine Physician ($491,230), Radiologist ($471,650), 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.