Median Salary
$38,020
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$18.28
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$58,840
entry level starts ~$30,210
Pay Grade
C
below-average pay · 1,283,000 employed
How much does a Security Guard make?
Security Guards in the United States bring home a median salary of $38,020 a year, or around $18.28 an hour. Pay spans a wide range: the bottom 10% earn under $30,210, while the top 10% earn $58,840.
That is $23,370 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Security Guard salary range by percentile
Half of all Security Guards earn between $35,210 and $46,200 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,210 | $14.52 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $35,210 | $16.93 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $38,020 | $18.28 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $46,200 | $22.21 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,840 | $28.29 |
|
Highest-paying states for Security Guard
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. District of Columbia leads the country for Security Guard pay at $64,210 a year, followed by Alaska ($47,480) and Washington ($47,100). At the other end, West Virginia posts the lowest median at $28,800 — a gap of $35,410 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
Security Guard salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 51 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
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 $29,180West Virginia $28,800
Workforce and education
About 1,283,000 people work as Security Guards in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $42,470 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Security Guard make in the United States?
The median Security Guard salary in the United States is $38,020 per year, or about $18.28 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $30,210, while the top 10% of earners make $58,840 or more.
How does Security Guard pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of C (below-average pay), the Security Guard median of $38,020 is below the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Security Guards the most?
District of Columbia is the highest-paying state for Security Guards, with a median salary of $64,210 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
How long does it take to become a Security Guard?
Becoming a Security Guard typically requires a high school diploma. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
How many Security Guards work in the United States?
About 1,283,000 people were employed as Security Guards in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.
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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). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.