The median security guard in the U.S. earns $38,020 a year ($18.28 an hour). Half earn between $35,210 and $46,200. Among the 50 largest metro areas, pay is highest in Seattle, WA ($47,490) and lowest in Birmingham, AL ($33,820).
Median $38,020
10th: $30,21090th: $58,840
Percentiles. Dark: the middle half of earners. Red line: median.
Security Guards, May 2025.
Annual pay
U.S.
10th percentile
$30,210
25th percentile
$35,210
Median
$38,020
75th percentile
$46,200
90th percentile
$58,840
Average
$42,470
Jobs
1,283,470
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U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, www.bls.gov/oes. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov.