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How much does a security guard make in Memphis?

$35,100a year

Median yearly pay for security guards in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area. That is $16.88 an hour or $2,925 a month.

Hourly
$16.88
Vs. national median
-8%
Rank among cities
282 of 389
Jobs in the area
8,450
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $29,060Median: $35,100Highest 10%: $45,930
PercentileYearlyHourly
10th$29,060$13.97
25th$30,360$14.60
Median$35,100$16.88
75th$36,880$17.73
90th$45,930$22.08

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
Knoxville, TN$35,810
Chattanooga, TN$35,650
Morristown, TN$30,790
Cleveland, TN$30,680
Johnson City, TN$27,720
Security Guard salary in Tennessee Security Guard salary in all states

Related jobs in Memphis

Same field, median yearly pay.

Private Detective and Investigator$99,680
First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Worker$96,100
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Worker$82,320
Fire Inspector and Investigator$82,280
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detective$79,050
Detective and Criminal Investigator$78,920
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officer$75,480
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer$75,410
Firefighter$62,910
Transportation Security Screener$61,110
Salaries for every job in Memphis, TN

Frequently asked questions

How much does a security guard make an hour in Memphis?

The median hourly pay in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $16.88 ($35,100 a year).

Do security guards make more in Memphis than the national average?

No: $35,100 against $38,020 nationally, 8% less.

How does Memphis compare with the rest of Tennessee?

The median in Tennessee is $36,000, so Memphis pays 3% less.

Where does Memphis rank for security guard pay?

282 of 389 metro areas with data.

How much does a security guard make starting out in Memphis?

The lowest-paid 10% make $29,060 or less a year; the top 10% make $45,930 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.