How much does a security guard make?
The median security guard in the United States earns $38,370 per year, about $18.45 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all security guards earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 33-9032.
Security guard salary range
Pay for security guards spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $29,800 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $59,580. The average (mean) wage of $42,890 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $29,800 | $14.33 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $35,100 | $16.88 | |
| Median (50th) | $38,370 | $18.45 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $46,660 | $22.43 | |
| 90th percentile | $59,580 | $28.64 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for security guards (SOC 33-9032), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Security guard salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Security guards earn the most in District of Columbia at $63,130 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $29,710. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $63,130 | 16,160 |
| Alaska | $48,620 | 2,050 |
| Washington | $48,010 | 24,820 |
| Colorado | $46,080 | 16,830 |
| Minnesota | $46,020 | 14,030 |
| Massachusetts | $44,950 | 24,100 |
| New Hampshire | $44,510 | 2,630 |
| California | $43,930 | 185,510 |
| Oregon | $43,680 | 11,550 |
| Virginia | $43,440 | 33,440 |
| Vermont | $42,800 | 830 |
| New York | $42,680 | 132,140 |
| Utah | $42,440 | 7,000 |
| Hawaii | $41,770 | 9,790 |
| Maine | $41,400 | 1,760 |
| Missouri | $40,680 | 19,180 |
| Idaho | $40,610 | 2,710 |
| Connecticut | $39,990 | 12,040 |
| North Dakota | $39,970 | 1,230 |
| Wisconsin | $39,110 | 11,670 |
| Nebraska | $38,940 | 4,440 |
| Rhode Island | $38,900 | 3,190 |
| New Jersey | $38,720 | 37,970 |
| New Mexico | $38,650 | 8,240 |
| Illinois | $38,630 | 53,560 |
| Maryland | $38,590 | 27,220 |
| Arizona | $38,560 | 26,720 |
| Nevada | $38,340 | 25,610 |
| Montana | $38,300 | 1,440 |
| Michigan | $38,120 | 25,760 |
| Delaware | $37,690 | 3,230 |
| Pennsylvania | $37,680 | 43,710 |
| Indiana | $37,560 | 17,900 |
| Iowa | $37,380 | 6,450 |
| West Virginia | $37,220 | 6,290 |
| Arkansas | $37,090 | 6,680 |
| South Dakota | $37,010 | 1,420 |
| Oklahoma | $36,580 | 12,320 |
| Wyoming | $36,330 | 1,020 |
| Ohio | $36,180 | 34,590 |
| Florida | $36,090 | 95,350 |
| Kansas | $36,090 | 6,790 |
| Tennessee | $36,090 | 28,260 |
| North Carolina | $35,900 | 29,360 |
| Georgia | $35,670 | 35,410 |
| Kentucky | $35,520 | 13,500 |
| South Carolina | $34,820 | 16,180 |
| Texas | $33,390 | 99,370 |
| Louisiana | $31,660 | 15,780 |
| Alabama | $31,210 | 15,050 |
| Mississippi | $29,710 | 9,600 |
State median wages for security guards (SOC 33-9032), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for security guards
The BLS projects employment of security guards to hold roughly steady from 2025 to 2035. That is little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 1,294,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 1,305,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 156,000 openings a year for security guards. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a security guard
The typical entry-level education for security guards is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a security guard earns
Employer, region, seniority, rank, and overtime shape take-home pay. Large departments, unions, and high cost areas raise the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $63,130) and the lowest (Mississippi, $29,710) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 1,241,770 people work as security guards in the United States. At $38,370 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Security guard salary FAQ
How much does a security guard make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a security guard is $18.45. The middle half of security guards earn between $16.88 and $22.43 per hour.
What is the highest security guard salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of security guards earn more than $59,580 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a security guard make a year?
The median annual salary for a security guard is $38,370. The average (mean) wage of $42,890 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a security guard a well paid job?
At $38,370 a year, a security guard earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 1,241,770 people work as security guards in the United States.
Which state pays security guards the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for security guards at $63,130 a year. Alaska ($48,620) and Washington ($48,010) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a security guard a good career?
Employment of security guards is projected to hold roughly steady 0.9% from 2025 to 2035, little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 156,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a security guard?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for security guards as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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