What is the average hourly wage for Security Guards?

The median hourly wage for Security Guards is $16.43 per hour. This translates to approximately $34,170 per year working full-time.

What states pay Security Guards the most?

Salaries for Security Guards vary significantly by location. Use the state-by-state table above to see which states offer the highest median wages for this occupation.

What education is needed to become a security guard?

Typical education required: High school diploma.

Security Guards Salary

Name: Security Guards Salary Data
Creator: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
License: https://www.bls.gov/bls/linksite.htm

Official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Data - May 2024

Median Annual Salary

$34,170

$16.43 / hour

▲ 3% (Average)

Salary Range

$18,110 - $58,772

10th to 90th percentile

Total Employed

1,060,600

workers nationally

🏛️ Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, May 2024 | Updated: Annual | Methodology

Security Guards Salary by Percentile

$18,110 $58,772

10th pct Median: $34,170 90th pct

Percentile	Annual Salary	Hourly Rate
10th (Entry Level)	$18,110	$8.71
25th Percentile	$24,602	$11.83
50th (Median)	$34,170	$16.43
75th Percentile	$47,155	$22.67
90th (Top Earners)	$58,772	$28.26
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, May 2024

Top Paying States for Security Guards

#	State	Median Annual	Median Hourly
1	District of Columbia (DC)	$45,104	$21.68
2	California (CA)	$42,713	$20.54
3	Massachusetts (MA)	$41,687	$20.04
4	New York (NY)	$41,687	$20.04
5	New Jersey (NJ)	$41,004	$19.71
6	Connecticut (CT)	$40,321	$19.39
7	Maryland (MD)	$40,321	$19.39
8	Hawaii (HI)	$39,296	$18.89
9	Alaska (AK)	$38,270	$18.40
10	Washington (WA)	$38,270	$18.40
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024

About Security Guards

Security Guards work in their specialized field applying expertise and skills to deliver value in their organization. This occupation is part of the protective service sector of the U.S. economy.

Education Requirements

Typical Entry-Level Education: High school diploma

Job Outlook for Security Guards

Projected Growth

+3%

2022-2032

▲ 3% (Average)

Annual Job Openings

264,000

projected annually

Outlook data based on BLS Employment Projections program. Growth rate is projected change in employment 2022-2032.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Security Guards make?

The median annual salary for Security Guards is $34,170 (BLS OEWS May 2024). Entry-level workers earn around $18,110, while the top 10% earn $58,772 or more.

What is the hourly wage for Security Guards?

Security Guards earn a median hourly wage of $16.43 per hour. Working full-time (40 hrs/week, 52 weeks), this equals approximately $34,170 annually.

Is Security Guards a good-paying career?

With a median salary of $34,170, Security Guards represents a viable career path. Job outlook: Average (3% growth, 2022-2032).

What education do Security Guards need?

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma. Requirements vary by employer and specialization - check with specific employers and BLS OOH for detailed requirements.