Security Guards pay in Iowa
In Iowa, the median pay for security guards is $17.83 an hour ($37,080 a year). About 6,890 people work in this job there.
That is 2% lower than the U.S. median ($38,020). Iowa ranks 31st of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for security guards in Iowa
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $14.59 | $30,350 |
| 25% of workers | $16.58 | $34,480 |
| Half of workers (median) | $17.83 | $37,080 |
| 75% of workers | $21.92 | $45,590 |
| 90% of workers | $28.51 | $59,290 |
Security Guards pay in Iowa metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City | $39,540 | 270 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | $38,670 | 380 |
| Sioux City | $38,480 | 350 |
| Dubuque | $37,620 | 170 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $37,550 | 2,360 |
| Ames | $37,430 | 260 |
| Cedar Rapids | $36,940 | 1,070 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $36,800 | 1,040 |
Iowa unemployment rate: 3.2% (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 Iowa
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $74,470 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $53,040 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $25,460 |
| Public Safety Telecommunicators | $56,770 |
| School Bus Monitors | $32,740 |
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.