Public Service Santa Fe, NM Pop. 87,505

Security Guard Salary in Santa Fe, New Mexico

The median security guard salary in Santa Fe, NM is $38,225 per year, which is 10.0% above the national median and 18.3% above the New Mexico state average.

City Median
$38,225
vs State Avg
+$5,907
vs National
+$3,475
Cost of Living
110%

Security Guard Pay in Santa Fe: What to Expect (2026)

Santa Fe offers a median security guard salary of $38,225, which is $5,907 above the New Mexico state average of $32,318. Compared to the national median of $34,750, Santa Fe pays above average for this role.

Santa Fe's cost of living is 110% 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 Santa Fe spans from $27,500 at the 10th percentile to $57,200 at the 90th percentile — a $29,700 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $28,600, while senior security guards with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $55,000. Santa Fe is a smaller market (pop. 87,505), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Security Guard Salary in Santa Fe by Experience

In Santa Fe, an entry-level security guard earns around $28,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $55,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 110% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$28,600
+$2,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$39,600
+$3,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$55,000
+$5,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Santa Fe, NM

Percentile Santa Fe
10th Percentile $27,500
25th Percentile $31,900
Median (50th) $38,225
75th Percentile $46,200
90th Percentile $57,200

Security Guard Salary in Other New Mexico Cities

Albuquerque, NM
$33,013
Pop. 564,559
Rio Rancho, NM
$31,970
Pop. 104,046
Las Cruces, NM
$30,580
Pop. 111,385
Roswell, NM
$28,495
Pop. 48,422

How to Become a Security Guard in Santa Fe

Education

Most security guard positions require a high school diploma. Santa Fe and the surrounding New Mexico 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 Santa Fe may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Security Guard Jobs in Santa Fe

Browse open security guard positions in Santa Fe, NM:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Security Guard Salary in Santa Fe

How much does a Security Guard make in Santa Fe, NM? ▼
The median security guard salary in Santa Fe, New Mexico is $38,225 per year, which is 10.0% above the national median of $34,750. Salaries range from $27,500 (10th percentile) to $57,200 (90th percentile).
How much does a Security Guard make per hour in Santa Fe? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $38,225, a security guard in Santa Fe earns approximately $18 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Santa Fe compare to the New Mexico state average for security guard pay? ▼
Santa Fe's median security guard salary of $38,225 is 18.3% above the New Mexico state average of $32,318. The local cost of living index is 110% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Santa Fe, NM? ▼
Santa Fe has a cost of living index of 110% compared to the national average. This means a security guard salary of $38,225 in Santa Fe has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a security guard in Santa Fe? ▼
Most security guard positions in Santa Fe 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.