Security Guard Salary in Milwaukee, WI

Updated November 9, 2026

The median security guard in the Milwaukee area earns $37,870 a year ($18.21 an hour), about the same as the U.S. median ($38,020) and 1% above the Wisconsin median ($37,440). Half of the 5,210 security guards there earn between $35,840 and $46,270.

Median $37,870

10th: $33,94090th: $54,800

Percentiles. Dark: the middle half of earners. Red line: median. Dashed: U.S. median.

Security Guards, May 2025 (latest official data). Metro area: Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI.
Annual pay	Milwaukee area	Wisconsin	U.S.
10th percentile	$33,940	$30,410	$30,210
25th percentile	$35,840	$35,030	$35,210
Median	$37,870	$37,440	$38,020
75th percentile	$46,270	$46,210	$46,200
90th percentile	$54,800	$54,680	$58,840
Average	$42,380	$41,390	$42,470
Jobs	5,210	12,030	1,283,470

Milwaukee, WI ranks 23rd of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for security guard pay. Highest: Seattle, WA ($47,490).

Paid less than $37,870? That gap, with its source, is the strongest line in a raise request. Check your pay for your level in 30 seconds. Free, no sign-up.

Check my pay

Security guard pay in other cities

Seattle, WA: $47,490
Washington, DC: $46,830
Portland, OR: $46,820
San Jose, CA: $46,250
San Francisco, CA: $45,730
Denver, CO: $45,420
Boston, MA: $44,990
New York, NY: $43,980
All cities

Similar jobs in Milwaukee, WI

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, published May 15, 2026

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.