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Security Guards pay in the United States

In the U.S., the median pay for security guards is $18.28 an hour ($38,020 a year). About 1,283,470 people work in this job there.

$18.28Median hourly pay
$35,210–$46,200Middle half of workers, yearly
1,283,470People in this job in the U.S.

Pay range for security guards in the U.S.

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$14.52$30,210
25% of workers$16.93$35,210
Half of workers (median)$18.28$38,020
75% of workers$22.21$46,200
90% of workers$28.29$58,840

Best-paying states for security guards

StateMedian yearly payPeople in this job
District of Columbia$64,21015,880
Alaska$47,4802,100
Washington$47,10025,800
Vermont$45,550930
Oregon$45,50012,200
New Hampshire$45,2002,450
Colorado$45,15016,890
Massachusetts$44,67023,930
New York$44,240134,700
Virginia$43,64034,870

Pay by state

Education, experience and outlook for security guards

  • Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
  • Related work experience most have: 1 to 3 months (O*NET)
  • Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
  • Job outlook: +0.9% over ten years, little or no change · about 156,000 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in the U.S.

JobMedian yearly pay
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$76,210
Correctional Officers and Jailers$58,940
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$33,580
Public Safety Telecommunicators$53,040
Crossing Guards and Flaggers$38,100
Protective Service Workers, All Other$42,540
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers$55,940
Transportation Security Screeners$66,770

Other job titles for this job

CsoSecurity AgentCpoClosed Circuit Screen WatcherLoss Prevention OfficerSecurity OfficerGate GuardGate WatchmanProtective OfficerSecurity Patrol OfficerAlarm InvestigatorArmed Security Officer

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.