Security Guards pay in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
In Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (DC), the median pay for security guards is $22.52 an hour ($46,830 a year). About 40,950 people work in this job there.
That is 23% higher than the U.S. median ($38,020). It is 27% lower than the District of Columbia median ($64,210).
Pay range for security guards in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (DC)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $17.56 | $36,530 |
| 25% of workers | $18.59 | $38,660 |
| Half of workers (median) | $22.52 | $46,830 |
| 75% of workers | $34.15 | $71,030 |
| 90% of workers | $37.88 | $78,790 |
Security Guards pay in District of Columbia metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (this page) | $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)
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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.