Security Guards pay in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington
In Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington (PA), the median pay for security guards is $18.00 an hour ($37,450 a year). About 25,460 people work in this job there.
That is about the same as the U.S. median ($38,020). It is about the same as the Pennsylvania median ($37,050).
Pay range for security guards in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington (PA)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $15.06 | $31,330 |
| 25% of workers | $17.30 | $35,990 |
| Half of workers (median) | $18.00 | $37,450 |
| 75% of workers | $21.94 | $45,640 |
| 90% of workers | $27.87 | $57,970 |
Security Guards pay in Pennsylvania metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Chambersburg | $42,130 | 210 |
| Gettysburg | $39,500 | 130 |
| Reading | $38,960 | 1,050 |
| Lancaster | $38,090 | 880 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | $37,880 | 2,320 |
| Lebanon | $37,470 | 130 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington (this page) | $37,450 | 25,460 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | $36,020 | 2,570 |
| Altoona | $35,900 | 230 |
| Pittsburgh | $35,850 | 9,250 |
| York-Hanover | $35,660 | 830 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | $35,160 | 2,070 |
| Erie | $34,530 | 840 |
| Williamsport | $34,440 | 510 |
| State College | $34,290 | 280 |
| Johnstown | $31,320 | 260 |
Pennsylvania unemployment rate: 3.7% (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 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington (PA)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $89,580 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $67,200 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $37,350 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $32,220 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $35,060 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $48,650 |
| Public Safety Telecommunicators | $56,960 |
| School Bus Monitors | $34,620 |
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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.