How much does a security guard make in Ames?
$37,430a year
Median yearly pay for security guards in the Ames, IA metro area. That is $18.00 an hour or $3,119 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.00
- Vs. national median
- -2%
- Rank among cities
- 162 of 389
- Jobs in the area
- 260
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $30,010Median: $37,430Highest 10%: $53,260
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,010 | $14.43 | |
| 25th | $35,580 | $17.11 | |
| Median | $37,430 | $18.00 | |
| 75th | $48,020 | $23.09 | |
| 90th | $53,260 | $25.61 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for security guards.
| Omaha, NE | $42,370 |
| Iowa City, IA | $39,540 |
| Waterloo, IA | $38,670 |
| Sioux City, IA | $38,480 |
| Dubuque, IA | $37,620 |
| Des Moines, IA | $37,550 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $36,940 |
| Davenport, IA | $36,800 |
Related jobs in Ames
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detective | $102,900 |
| Firefighter | $86,010 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer | $73,840 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make an hour in Ames?
The median hourly pay in the Ames, IA metro area is $18.00 ($37,430 a year).
Do security guards make more in Ames than the national average?
No: $37,430 against $38,020 nationally, 2% less.
How does Ames compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $37,080, so Ames pays 1% more.
Where does Ames rank for security guard pay?
162 of 389 metro areas with data.
How much does a security guard make starting out in Ames?
The lowest-paid 10% make $30,010 or less a year; the top 10% make $53,260 or more.
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.