Security guard earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level security guard earnings begin at:

$10.31 per hour

$21,439 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level security guard earnings begin at:

$9.10 per hour

$18,929 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level security guard earnings begin at:

$7.92 per hour

$16,483 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level security guard earnings begin at:

$6.90 per hour

$14,353 per year

10th percentile

Starting level security guard earnings begin at:

$6.09 per hour

$12,672 per year

Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.

Security guard salary by state

State Name Average Salary
District of Columbia $50,110
Alaska $39,620
Washington $38,830
Massachusetts $38,370
New York $37,770
Minnesota $37,100
Colorado $36,590
Hawaii $36,590
Virginia $36,570
California $36,060
Maryland $36,000
Connecticut $35,140
Rhode Island $34,940
New Hampshire $34,350
Vermont $33,350
Illinois $32,810
North Dakota $31,470
Idaho $31,430
New Jersey $31,430
Wyoming $31,230
Maine $31,200
Michigan $31,050
Utah $30,870
Delaware $30,850
Missouri $30,850
Nebraska $30,850
Oregon $30,850
South Dakota $30,700
Montana $30,660
Arizona $30,570
Indiana $30,570
Nevada $30,350
Iowa $29,980
Wisconsin $29,970
Pennsylvania $29,860
Texas $29,640
Georgia $29,330
Ohio $29,080
North Carolina $28,990
Kansas $28,910
New Mexico $28,910
Oklahoma $28,910
Tennessee $28,910
Virgin Islands, U.S. $28,910
Florida $28,820
South Carolina $28,680
Louisiana $28,560
Arkansas $27,390
Kentucky $27,320
Mississippi $24,940
Alabama $24,060
West Virginia $23,130
Guam $20,040
Puerto Rico $19,420

How do security guard salaries compare to similar careers?

Security guards earn about the same as related careers in the United States. On average, they make less than hairdressers but more than receptionists.

Career Median Salary
Hairdresser salary $19K
Teller salary $19K
Medical administrative assistant salary $19K
Customer service representative salary $18K
Office clerk salary $16K
Security guard salary $16K
Switchboard operator salary $16K
Concierge salary $14K
Recreation worker salary $13K
Receptionist salary $10K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)