Security Guards pay in District of Columbia
In District of Columbia, the median pay for security guards is $30.87 an hour ($64,210 a year). About 15,880 people work in this job there.
That is 69% higher than the U.S. median ($38,020). District of Columbia ranks 1st of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for security guards in District of Columbia
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $17.60 | $36,600 |
| 25% of workers | $21.88 | $45,510 |
| Half of workers (median) | $30.87 | $64,210 |
| 75% of workers | $35.67 | $74,200 |
| 90% of workers | $37.94 | $78,910 |
Security Guards pay in District of Columbia metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | $46,830 | 40,950 |
District of Columbia unemployment rate: 5.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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 District of Columbia
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $88,650 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $83,710 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $40,800 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: 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.