Security Guards pay in Kentucky

In Kentucky, the median pay for security guards is $17.03 an hour ($35,420 a year). About 13,580 people work in this job there.

$17.03Median hourly pay
$31,440–$40,370Middle half of workers, yearly
13,580People in this job in Kentucky

That is 7% lower than the U.S. median ($38,020). Kentucky ranks 45th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

Pay range for security guards in Kentucky

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$13.68$28,450
25% of workers$15.12$31,440
Half of workers (median)$17.03$35,420
75% of workers$19.41$40,370
90% of workers$24.42$50,800

Security Guards pay in Kentucky metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Louisville/Jefferson County$36,4205,000
Paducah$36,370170
Lexington-Fayette$35,4002,560
Bowling Green$34,720390
Elizabethtown$34,450140
Owensboro$31,440560

Kentucky unemployment rate: 4.7% (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 Kentucky

JobMedian yearly pay
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$60,490
Correctional Officers and Jailers$42,310
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$28,520
Public Safety Telecommunicators$45,670
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers$50,260
Protective Service Workers, All Other$46,580
Transportation Security Screeners$63,130

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.