How much does a security guard make in California?
$43,240a year
Median yearly pay for security guards in California. That is $20.79 an hour or $3,603 a month.
- Hourly
- $20.79
- Vs. national median
- +14%
- Rank among states
- 13 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 199,480
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $36,010Median: $43,240Highest 10%: $57,880
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,010 | $17.31 | |
| 25th | $37,180 | $17.88 | |
| Median | $43,240 | $20.79 | |
| 75th | $46,760 | $22.48 | |
| 90th | $57,880 | $27.83 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Napa, CA | $47,240 |
| San Jose, CA | $46,250 |
| San Francisco, CA | $45,730 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $45,160 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $43,610 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $43,250 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $42,980 |
| Vallejo, CA | $42,800 |
| Redding, CA | $42,330 |
| Oxnard, CA | $40,960 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $40,030 |
| Sacramento, CA | $39,460 |
| Modesto, CA | $38,990 |
| Salinas, CA | $38,700 |
| Stockton, CA | $38,530 |
| San Diego, CA | $38,500 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $38,440 |
| Hanford, CA | $37,980 |
| Riverside, CA | $37,280 |
| Chico, CA | $37,250 |
| El Centro, CA | $37,230 |
| Fresno, CA | $37,180 |
| Yuba City, CA | $37,180 |
| Visalia, CA | $37,090 |
| Merced, CA | $36,820 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for security guards.
| 10. Virginia | $43,640 |
| 11. Minnesota | $43,380 |
| 12. New Mexico | $43,320 |
| 13. California | $43,240 |
| 14. Hawaii | $42,820 |
| 15. Utah | $42,700 |
| 16. Missouri | $40,390 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $20.79 ($43,240 a year).
Do security guards make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $43,240 against $38,020 nationally, 14% more.
Where does California rank for security guard pay?
California ranks 13 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays security guards the most?
Napa, CA, with a median of $47,240 a year.
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.