The average salary for a security guard in the United States is $40,440, but the range typically falls between $31,660 and $44,630. This corresponds to an average hourly wage of $19.44, with a range between $15.22 and $21.46.
There are approximately 1,202,940 people employed as a security guard in the United States. With California, New York, Texas employing the highest number of security guards.The state with the best pay for a security guard is District of Columbia, with an average annual salary of $54,830, while Mississippi has the lowest average annual salary of $31,630.
| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $28,500 | $13.7 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,660 | $15.22 |
| Median | $37,070 | $17.82 |
| 75th Percentile | $44,630 | $21.46 |
| 90th Percentile | $57,400 | $27.6 |
The salary of a security guard can vary depending on the state. Below is a map of the United States showing the average annual salary for a security guard in each state. The darker the color, the higher the salary. The best states for security guards are District of Columbia, Alaska, Washington, Maryland, Minnesota while the worst states are Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, West Virginia, Oklahoma.
| State | Low-end | Average | High-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $21,810 | $31,490 | $42,720 |
| Alaska | $34,840 | $52,220 | $74,370 |
| Arizona | $30,560 | $38,950 | $50,220 |
| Arkansas | $26,420 | $35,340 | $43,630 |
| California | $35,250 | $44,940 | $58,630 |
| Colorado | $31,660 | $44,640 | $55,270 |
| Connecticut | $31,060 | $40,290 | $51,030 |
| Delaware | $29,660 | $37,410 | $52,340 |
| District of Columbia | $34,260 | $54,830 | $75,270 |
| Florida | $28,210 | $35,980 | $44,290 |
| Georgia | $24,300 | $37,430 | $56,560 |
| Hawaii | $28,310 | $39,470 | $52,310 |
| Idaho | $28,390 | $43,970 | $74,830 |
| Illinois | $31,070 | $40,110 | $51,430 |
| Indiana | $27,950 | $39,840 | $61,230 |
| Iowa | $27,100 | $37,240 | $49,110 |
| Kansas | $27,390 | $37,050 | $47,720 |
| Kentucky | $22,980 | $34,000 | $44,800 |
| Louisiana | $22,080 | $32,040 | $42,910 |
| Maine | $31,200 | $40,310 | $50,060 |
| Maryland | $31,480 | $47,450 | $74,150 |
| Massachusetts | $35,580 | $44,310 | $57,960 |
| Michigan | $25,330 | $37,150 | $48,600 |
| Minnesota | $31,630 | $47,390 | $65,220 |
| Mississippi | $21,050 | $31,630 | $47,590 |
| Missouri | $29,870 | $44,490 | $66,040 |
| Montana | $24,080 | $36,810 | $51,630 |
| Nebraska | $29,270 | $39,900 | $58,200 |
| Nevada | $25,940 | $36,940 | $45,770 |
| New Hampshire | $31,190 | $45,220 | $59,500 |
| New Jersey | $30,950 | $41,570 | $56,780 |
| New Mexico | $27,600 | $36,460 | $51,500 |
| New York | $32,530 | $44,250 | $60,590 |
| North Carolina | $24,620 | $36,410 | $49,610 |
| North Dakota | $31,570 | $42,620 | $62,690 |
| Ohio | $26,820 | $38,760 | $60,750 |
| Oklahoma | $23,190 | $34,730 | $49,730 |
| Oregon | $33,230 | $43,690 | $58,700 |
| Pennsylvania | $27,620 | $37,380 | $45,890 |
| Rhode Island | $31,260 | $39,130 | $48,260 |
| South Carolina | $24,350 | $34,190 | $43,670 |
| South Dakota | $28,790 | $36,800 | $46,850 |
| Tennessee | $25,740 | $37,230 | $57,970 |
| Texas | $24,330 | $35,700 | $46,760 |
| Utah | $28,570 | $38,720 | $50,520 |
| Vermont | $32,120 | $40,920 | $48,620 |
| Virginia | $29,560 | $43,960 | $68,600 |
| Washington | $36,570 | $47,190 | $59,430 |
| West Virginia | $21,700 | $30,990 | $40,160 |
| Wisconsin | $28,520 | $38,330 | $49,540 |
| Wyoming | $28,740 | $38,260 | $50,520 |
Even between cities, the salary of a security guard can vary. For example, the areas with the highest average salary for security guards is Kennewick-Richland area, WA with an average salary of $69,290.The city with the lowest average salary for security guards is Beckley, WV with an average salary of $23,940.
Areas with highest average salaries for security guards
Areas with lowest average salaries for security guards
The number of security guards in the United States has been increasing over the years. Since 2020, the number of security guards has increased by 148,540. On average, the number of security guards has been increasing by 3.5% each year. The salary of security guards has been increasing. Since 2020, the salary of security guards has increased by $6,080. On average, the salary of security guards has been increasing by 4.4% each year.
Security Guards are part of the protective service occupations group. Below is a comparison of the average annual salary for security guards compared to other jobs in the same occupation group. View all protective service occupations jobs here.
$76,840 per year
$58,460 per year
$82,510 per year
$90,740 per year
$33,970 per year
$50,430 per year
