Security Guard Salary in San Diego, CA
Updated
The median security guard in the San Diego area earns $38,500 a year ($18.51 an hour), 1% above the U.S. median ($38,020) and 11% below the California median ($43,240). Half of the 16,090 security guards there earn between $37,150 and $45,580.
Median $38,500
10th: $36,09090th: $53,310
| Annual pay | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,090 | $36,010 | $30,210 |
| 25th percentile | $37,150 | $37,180 | $35,210 |
| Median | $38,500 | $43,240 | $38,020 |
| 75th percentile | $45,580 | $46,760 | $46,200 |
| 90th percentile | $53,310 | $57,880 | $58,840 |
| Average | $43,110 | $44,920 | $42,470 |
| Jobs | 16,090 | 199,480 | 1,283,470 |
San Diego, CA ranks 18th of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for security guard pay. Highest: Seattle, WA ($47,490).
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Check my paySecurity guard pay in other cities
- San Jose, CA: $46,250
- San Francisco, CA: $45,730
- Los Angeles, CA: $40,030
- Seattle, WA: $47,490
- Washington, DC: $46,830
- Portland, OR: $46,820
- Denver, CO: $45,420
- Boston, MA: $44,990
- All cities
Similar jobs in San Diego, CA
- Police Officer: $110,400
- Firefighter: $70,900
- All jobs in San Diego, CA
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.