Salary guide
Security Guard Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What security guards earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median security guard salary in the U.S. is $38,020 per year, or $18.28 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $30,210, while the top 10% earned more than $58,840.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Security Guard pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $30,210 | $14.52 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $35,210 | $16.93 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $38,020 | $18.28 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $46,200 | $22.21 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $58,840 | $28.29 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $35,210 | $38,020 | $46,200 |
| Per month | $2,934 | $3,168 | $3,850 |
| Every two weeks | $1,354 | $1,462 | $1,777 |
| Per week | $677 | $731 | $888 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects security guard pay
- Agency size and local government budgets
- Rank, seniority and specialty assignments
- Overtime, shift differentials and court time
- State licensing and armed-guard credentials for security work
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a security guard
- Get credentialed: State guard card or security license, Armed security license, First aid, CPR and AED.
- Build specialty experience: Lead shifts and train officers.
- Move up: roles such as site or account manager and corporate security, law enforcement or security director typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Security Guard pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of security guards to change by +0.9% from 2025–35, little or no change compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 156,000 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 33-9032 (“Security guards”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Security Guard salary FAQ
How much does a security guard make per hour?
The median hourly wage for security guards was $18.28 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $14.52 and the top 10% earned about $28.29 or more.
How much does a security guard make a month?
At the median annual wage of $38,020, that works out to about $3,168 per month before taxes, or about $1,462 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a security guard?
New security guards often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $30,210 and the 25th percentile was $35,210 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can security guards earn more?
Common ways include earning State guard card or security license and Armed security license, gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as site or account manager.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 33-9032 (Security guards).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Security guards (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.