How much does a security guard make?
Median yearly pay in the United States: half earn more and half earn less. That is $18.28 an hour or $3,168 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.28
- Average (mean)
- $42,470
- Jobs
- 1,283,470
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,210 | $14.52 | |
| 25th | $35,210 | $16.93 | |
| Median | $38,020 | $18.28 | |
| 75th | $46,200 | $22.21 | |
| 90th | $58,840 | $28.29 |
By state
Median yearly pay.
| District of Columbia | $64,210 |
| Alaska | $47,480 |
| Washington | $47,100 |
| Vermont | $45,550 |
| Oregon | $45,500 |
| New Hampshire | $45,200 |
| Colorado | $45,150 |
| Massachusetts | $44,670 |
| New York | $44,240 |
| Virginia | $43,640 |
| Minnesota | $43,380 |
| New Mexico | $43,320 |
| California | $43,240 |
| Hawaii | $42,820 |
| Utah | $42,700 |
| Missouri | $40,390 |
| Connecticut | $39,920 |
| Nebraska | $39,840 |
| Illinois | $39,490 |
| North Dakota | $39,310 |
| Wyoming | $39,200 |
| Maine | $39,100 |
| New Jersey | $38,880 |
| Montana | $38,480 |
| Idaho | $38,300 |
| Arizona | $38,290 |
| Maryland | $38,220 |
| Wisconsin | $37,440 |
| Nevada | $37,310 |
| South Dakota | $37,150 |
| Iowa | $37,080 |
| Kansas | $37,080 |
| Michigan | $37,080 |
| Pennsylvania | $37,050 |
| Rhode Island | $36,940 |
| Indiana | $36,490 |
| Delaware | $36,360 |
| Oklahoma | $36,270 |
| Tennessee | $36,000 |
| Texas | $35,980 |
| Florida | $35,900 |
| Arkansas | $35,770 |
| Ohio | $35,770 |
| South Carolina | $35,460 |
| Kentucky | $35,420 |
| North Carolina | $35,010 |
| Georgia | $34,980 |
| Alabama | $33,720 |
| Louisiana | $32,240 |
| Mississippi | $29,180 |
| West Virginia | $28,800 |
Highest paying cities
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Idaho Falls, ID | $78,680 |
| Fairbanks, AK | $60,400 |
| Kennewick, WA | $54,670 |
| Burlington, VT | $51,170 |
| Ithaca, NY | $49,540 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $49,480 |
| Hinesville, GA | $48,780 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $48,770 |
| Kahului, HI | $48,690 |
| Rochester, MN | $47,790 |
| Seattle, WA | $47,490 |
| Napa, CA | $47,240 |
| Washington, DC | $46,830 |
| Portland, OR | $46,820 |
| Anchorage, AK | $46,720 |
In other countries
Security Guard belongs to the international group "Security guards".
Compare pay in 140 countriesSimilar jobs
- Animal Control Worker$45,660
- Private Detective and Investigator$51,220
- Gambling Surveillance Officer and Gambling Investigator$43,370
- Crossing Guard and Flagger$38,100
- Lifeguard$33,580
- Transportation Security Screener$66,770
- School Bus Monitor$35,100
- Protective Service Worker$42,540
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make an hour?
The median hourly pay is $18.28 ($38,020 a year).
How much does a security guard make a month?
About $3,168 a month before tax, based on a median of $38,020 a year.
How much does a security guard make starting out?
The lowest-paid 10% make $30,210 or less a year ($14.52 an hour); the top 10% make $58,840 or more.
Which state pays security guards the most?
District of Columbia, with a median of $64,210 a year, followed by Alaska ($47,480) and Washington ($47,100).
Which city pays security guards the most?
Idaho Falls, ID, with a median of $78,680 a year.
How many security guards are there in the United States?
About 1,283,470 people work as security guards.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.