Security Guard Salary
Security guards patrol and protect property from theft, vandalism, and unauthorized entry, monitoring surveillance systems.
Security Guard Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level security guards earn around $26,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $36,000. Senior-level security guards can earn $50,000 or more.
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Earning $34,750? You may qualify for student loan refinancing rates as low as 4.49% — potentially saving $14,000+ over the life of your loan.
Check Your Rate — No Credit Impact →Salary Percentile Breakdown
The salary range for security guards varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $25,000, while the top 10% earn $52,000.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $25,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $29,000 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $34,750 |
| 75th Percentile | $42,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $52,000 |
Security Guard Salary by State
Security Guard salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $59,075, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $28,843.
| State | Median | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Hawaii | $59,075 | Details → |
| #2 California | $47,955 | Details → |
| #3 Massachusetts | $46,913 | Details → |
| #4 Alaska | $43,090 | Details → |
| #5 New York | $42,395 | Details → |
| #6 New Jersey | $39,963 | Details → |
| #7 Washington | $39,963 | Details → |
| #8 Connecticut | $38,920 | Details → |
| #9 Maryland | $38,225 | Details → |
| #10 Oregon | $38,225 | Details → |
| #11 Colorado | $36,488 | Details → |
| #12 New Hampshire | $36,488 | Details → |
| #13 Rhode Island | $36,488 | Details → |
| #14 Virginia | $36,140 | Details → |
| #15 Delaware | $35,098 | Details → |
| #16 Vermont | $35,098 | Details → |
| #17 Florida | $34,055 | Details → |
| #18 Maine | $34,055 | Details → |
| #19 Arizona | $33,708 | Details → |
| #20 Minnesota | $33,708 | Details → |
| #21 Nevada | $33,708 | Details → |
| #22 Utah | $33,708 | Details → |
| #23 Pennsylvania | $33,360 | Details → |
| #24 Illinois | $33,013 | Details → |
| #25 Montana | $33,013 | Details → |
| #26 Idaho | $32,665 | Details → |
| #27 Georgia | $32,318 | Details → |
| #28 New Mexico | $32,318 | Details → |
| #29 North Carolina | $31,970 | Details → |
| #30 Texas | $31,970 | Details → |
| #31 Wisconsin | $31,970 | Details → |
| #32 Wyoming | $31,970 | Details → |
| #33 Louisiana | $31,623 | Details → |
| #34 Indiana | $31,275 | Details → |
| #35 Michigan | $31,275 | Details → |
| #36 Nebraska | $31,275 | Details → |
| #37 North Dakota | $31,275 | Details → |
| #38 Ohio | $31,275 | Details → |
| #39 Iowa | $30,928 | Details → |
| #40 South Carolina | $30,928 | Details → |
| #41 Tennessee | $30,928 | Details → |
| #42 Missouri | $30,580 | Details → |
| #43 South Dakota | $30,580 | Details → |
| #44 Alabama | $30,233 | Details → |
| #45 Kansas | $30,233 | Details → |
| #46 Kentucky | $30,233 | Details → |
| #47 Oklahoma | $29,885 | Details → |
| #48 Arkansas | $29,190 | Details → |
| #49 West Virginia | $29,190 | Details → |
| #50 Mississippi | $28,843 | Details → |
Stand Out from the Competition
85% of recruiters say a professionally written resume increases interview rates by 40%. Stand out from 1,176,700 other Security Guards.
Get a Professional Resume →Key Responsibilities
- ● Patrol assigned areas for security threats
- ● Monitor surveillance cameras and alarms
- ● Control access to buildings and facilities
- ● Write incident reports
- ● Respond to emergencies and disturbances
Top Skills
Education Required
High school diploma
Job Outlook
As fast as average — projected 3% growth over the next decade
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