How Much Does a Security Guard Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$38,020
Security guards in the U.S. earn a median of $38,020 a year, or $18.28 an hour. Half of security guards earn more than $38,020 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $58,840.
Pay percentiles for security guards
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $14.52 | $30,210 |
| 25th | $16.93 | $35,210 |
| 50th (median) | $18.28 | $38,020 |
| 75th | $22.21 | $46,200 |
| 90th | $28.29 | $58,840 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Security Guards (SOC 33-9032). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for security guards
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $64,210 | $30.87 | +69% |
| Alaska | $47,480 | $22.83 | +25% |
| Washington | $47,100 | $22.64 | +24% |
| Vermont | $45,550 | $21.90 | +20% |
| Oregon | $45,500 | $21.88 | +20% |
| New Hampshire | $45,200 | $21.73 | +19% |
| Colorado | $45,150 | $21.71 | +19% |
| Massachusetts | $44,670 | $21.48 | +17% |
| New York | $44,240 | $21.27 | +16% |
| Virginia | $43,640 | $20.98 | +15% |
| United States | $38,020 | $18.28 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many security guards are there?
BLS counts about 1,283,470 security guards employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in California (199,480), New York (134,700) and Texas (106,210).
The mean (average) annual wage is $42,470, higher than the median of $38,020.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $3,168
- Biweekly
- $1,462
- Weekly
- $731
- Daily (8 hours)
- $146
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do security guards make an hour?
The median hourly wage for security guards is $18.28. The middle 50% earn between $16.93 and $22.21 an hour.
Which state pays security guards the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage for security guards at $64,210, +69% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for security guards?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of security guards earn less than $30,210 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.