How much does a security guard make in Knoxville?
$35,810a year
Median yearly pay for security guards in the Knoxville, TN metro area. That is $17.22 an hour or $2,984 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.22
- Vs. national median
- -6%
- Rank among cities
- 249 of 389
- Jobs in the area
- 2,860
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $29,420Median: $35,810Highest 10%: $57,010
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,420 | $14.14 | |
| 25th | $30,200 | $14.52 | |
| Median | $35,810 | $17.22 | |
| 75th | $43,470 | $20.90 | |
| 90th | $57,010 | $27.41 |
Other cities in Tennessee
Median yearly pay for security guards.
| Nashville, TN | $37,010 |
| Kingsport, TN | $36,270 |
| Jackson, TN | $35,960 |
| Clarksville, TN | $35,900 |
| Chattanooga, TN | $35,650 |
| Memphis, TN | $35,100 |
| Morristown, TN | $30,790 |
| Cleveland, TN | $30,680 |
| Johnson City, TN | $27,720 |
Related jobs in Knoxville
Same field, median yearly pay.
Salaries for every job in Knoxville, TNFrequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make an hour in Knoxville?
The median hourly pay in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $17.22 ($35,810 a year).
Do security guards make more in Knoxville than the national average?
No: $35,810 against $38,020 nationally, 6% less.
How does Knoxville compare with the rest of Tennessee?
The median in Tennessee is $36,000, so Knoxville pays 1% less.
Where does Knoxville rank for security guard pay?
249 of 389 metro areas with data.
How much does a security guard make starting out in Knoxville?
The lowest-paid 10% make $29,420 or less a year; the top 10% make $57,010 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.