Public Service Baltimore, MD Pop. 585,708

Security Guard Salary in Baltimore, Maryland

The median security guard salary in Baltimore, MD is $37,530 per year, which is 8.0% above the national median and 1.8% below the Maryland state average.

City Median
$37,530
vs State Avg
$-695
vs National
+$2,780
Cost of Living
108%

Security Guard Pay in Baltimore: What to Expect (2026)

Baltimore offers a median security guard salary of $37,530, which is $695 below the Maryland state average of $38,225. Compared to the national median of $34,750, Baltimore pays above average for this role.

Baltimore's cost of living is 108% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for security guards in Baltimore spans from $27,000 at the 10th percentile to $56,160 at the 90th percentile — a $29,160 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $28,080, while senior security guards with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $54,000. As a major metro area with a population of 585,708, Baltimore typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Security Guard Salary in Baltimore by Experience

In Baltimore, an entry-level security guard earns around $28,080, while experienced professionals earn up to $54,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 108% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$28,080
+$2,080 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$38,880
+$2,880 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$54,000
+$4,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Baltimore, MD

Percentile Baltimore
10th Percentile $27,000
25th Percentile $31,320
Median (50th) $37,530
75th Percentile $45,360
90th Percentile $56,160

Security Guard Salary in Other Maryland Cities

Silver Spring, MD
$42,395
Pop. 81,015
Columbia, MD
$41,005
Pop. 104,681
Germantown, MD
$39,963
Pop. 90,676
Waldorf, MD
$36,488
Pop. 77,000

How to Become a Security Guard in Baltimore

Education

Most security guard positions require a high school diploma. Baltimore and the surrounding Maryland area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

SurveillanceAccess ControlReport WritingCommunicationObservationCPR/First Aid

Job Outlook

Nationally, security guard employment is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Baltimore may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Security Guard Jobs in Baltimore

Browse open security guard positions in Baltimore, MD:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Security Guard Salary in Baltimore

How much does a Security Guard make in Baltimore, MD? ▼
The median security guard salary in Baltimore, Maryland is $37,530 per year, which is 8.0% above the national median of $34,750. Salaries range from $27,000 (10th percentile) to $56,160 (90th percentile).
How much does a Security Guard make per hour in Baltimore? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $37,530, a security guard in Baltimore earns approximately $18 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Baltimore compare to the Maryland state average for security guard pay? ▼
Baltimore's median security guard salary of $37,530 is 1.8% below the Maryland state average of $38,225. The local cost of living index is 108% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Baltimore, MD? ▼
Baltimore has a cost of living index of 108% compared to the national average. This means a security guard salary of $37,530 in Baltimore has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a security guard in Baltimore? ▼
Most security guard positions in Baltimore require a high school diploma. Key skills include Surveillance, Access Control, Report Writing, Communication. The job market is projected to grow 3% nationally over the next decade.