How much does a security guard make in Tennessee?
$36,000a year
Median yearly pay for security guards in Tennessee. That is $17.31 an hour or $3,000 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.31
- Vs. national median
- -5%
- Rank among states
- 39 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 27,690
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $29,310Median: $36,000Highest 10%: $51,680
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,310 | $14.09 | |
| 25th | $30,850 | $14.83 | |
| Median | $36,000 | $17.31 | |
| 75th | $40,620 | $19.53 | |
| 90th | $51,680 | $24.85 |
Cities in Tennessee
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Nashville, TN | $37,010 |
| Kingsport, TN | $36,270 |
| Jackson, TN | $35,960 |
| Clarksville, TN | $35,900 |
| Knoxville, TN | $35,810 |
| Chattanooga, TN | $35,650 |
| Memphis, TN | $35,100 |
| Morristown, TN | $30,790 |
| Cleveland, TN | $30,680 |
| Johnson City, TN | $27,720 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for security guards.
| 36. Indiana | $36,490 |
| 37. Delaware | $36,360 |
| 38. Oklahoma | $36,270 |
| 39. Tennessee | $36,000 |
| 40. Texas | $35,980 |
| 41. Florida | $35,900 |
| 42. Arkansas | $35,770 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make an hour in Tennessee?
The median hourly pay in Tennessee is $17.31 ($36,000 a year).
Do security guards make more in Tennessee than the national average?
No: $36,000 against $38,020 nationally, 5% less.
Where does Tennessee rank for security guard pay?
Tennessee ranks 39 of 51 states.
Which city in Tennessee pays security guards the most?
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN, with a median of $37,010 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.