How much does a security guard make? Security Guard salary and hourly pay
A security guard in the US earns a median of $38,020 a year, about $18.28 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $30,210 and the top 10% earn over $58,840. Pay depends heavily on the state: the top-paying state, District of Columbia, has a median of $64,210.
Security Guard pay calculator
Gross pay before taxes. If you enter your own hourly rate, it replaces the BLS figure. Otherwise hourly rate = BLS annual figure ÷ 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the same convention BLS uses.
How much does a security guard make an hour?
The median security guard earns $18.28 an hour. Hourly pay ranges from about $14.52 for the lowest-paid 10% to $28.29 for the highest-paid 10%.
| Pay level | Per year | Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (bottom 10%) | $30,210 | $14.52 |
| Lower 25% | $35,210 | $16.93 |
| Median (typical) | $38,020 | $18.28 |
| Upper 25% | $46,200 | $22.21 |
| Top 10% | $58,840 | $28.29 |
Security Guard salary by state
Median annual pay for security guards in every state, from BLS May 2025 data.
| State | Median per year | ≈ Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $33,720 | $16.21 |
| Alaska | $47,480 | $22.83 |
| Arizona | $38,290 | $18.41 |
| Arkansas | $35,770 | $17.20 |
| California | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| Colorado | $45,150 | $21.71 |
| Connecticut | $39,920 | $19.19 |
| Delaware | $36,360 | $17.48 |
| District of Columbia | $64,210 | $30.87 |
| Florida | $35,900 | $17.26 |
| Georgia | $34,980 | $16.82 |
| Hawaii | $42,820 | $20.59 |
| Idaho | $38,300 | $18.41 |
| Illinois | $39,490 | $18.99 |
| Indiana | $36,490 | $17.54 |
| Iowa | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| Kansas | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| Kentucky | $35,420 | $17.03 |
| Louisiana | $32,240 | $15.50 |
| Maine | $39,100 | $18.80 |
| Maryland | $38,220 | $18.38 |
| Massachusetts | $44,670 | $21.48 |
| Michigan | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| Minnesota | $43,380 | $20.86 |
| Mississippi | $29,180 | $14.03 |
| Missouri | $40,390 | $19.42 |
| Montana | $38,480 | $18.50 |
| Nebraska | $39,840 | $19.15 |
| Nevada | $37,310 | $17.94 |
| New Hampshire | $45,200 | $21.73 |
| New Jersey | $38,880 | $18.69 |
| New Mexico | $43,320 | $20.83 |
| New York | $44,240 | $21.27 |
| North Carolina | $35,010 | $16.83 |
| North Dakota | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| Ohio | $35,770 | $17.20 |
| Oklahoma | $36,270 | $17.44 |
| Oregon | $45,500 | $21.88 |
| Pennsylvania | $37,050 | $17.81 |
| Rhode Island | $36,940 | $17.76 |
| South Carolina | $35,460 | $17.05 |
| South Dakota | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| Tennessee | $36,000 | $17.31 |
| Texas | $35,980 | $17.30 |
| Utah | $42,700 | $20.53 |
| Vermont | $45,550 | $21.90 |
| Virginia | $43,640 | $20.98 |
| Washington | $47,100 | $22.64 |
| West Virginia | $28,800 | $13.85 |
| Wisconsin | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Wyoming | $39,200 | $18.85 |
Highest-paying states for security guards
- District of Columbia: $64,210 median
- Alaska: $47,480 median
- Washington: $47,100 median
- Vermont: $45,550 median
- Oregon: $45,500 median
The lowest medians are in West Virginia ($28,800), Mississippi ($29,180), Louisiana ($32,240), Alabama ($33,720), Georgia ($34,980). The most security guard jobs are in California (199,480 jobs), New York (134,700 jobs), Texas (106,210 jobs), Florida (95,370 jobs), Illinois (53,830 jobs).
How much does a security guard make a month?
At the median salary of $38,020, a security guard earns about $3,168 a month, $1,462 every two weeks or $731 a week, before taxes.
Entry-level vs. experienced security guard pay
New security guards typically start near the bottom of the range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $30,210 a year and the lowest 25% under $35,210. The top 25% earn over $46,200 and the top 10% over $58,840. BLS does not break pay down by years of experience; these percentiles are the closest official measure.
Security Guard salary vs. similar jobs
| Job | Median per year |
|---|---|
| Security guard | $38,020 |
| Pilot | $232,140 |
| Paralegal | $62,890 |
| Police officer | $76,210 |
| Firefighter | $59,280 |
| Real estate agent | $52,830 |
| Flight attendant | $63,580 |
Common questions
How much does a security guard make?
The US median is $38,020 a year ($18.28 an hour), based on BLS May 2025 data.
How much does a security guard make an hour?
The median is about $18.28 an hour. The bottom 10% earn about $14.52 and the top 10% about $28.29 an hour.
Which state pays security guards the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median at $64,210, followed by Alaska ($47,480) and Washington ($47,100).
How much does a security guard make a month?
At the US median of $38,020 a year, about $3,168 a month or $1,462 every two weeks, before taxes.
How much does an entry-level security guard make?
The lowest-paid 10% earn under $30,210 a year and the lowest 25% under $35,210, the closest official measure of starting pay.
How much do the top 10% of security guards make?
The top 10% earn over $58,840 a year; the top 25% earn over $46,200.
How much does a security guard make in California, Texas, Florida and New York?
Median annual pay is $43,240 in California, $35,980 in Texas, $35,900 in Florida, $44,240 in New York, per BLS May 2025 data.
Last reviewed October 31, 2026. All figures are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 survey (occupation code 33-9032, “Security Guards”), the most recent official release; “median” means half earn more and half earn less. Figures are gross pay before taxes and benefits. See the BLS OEWS tables and the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. This page is general information, not career or financial advice.