Security Guard Salary in 2026
How Much Do Security Guards Make?
Security Guards earn a median annual salary of $38,370 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $29,800 at the 10th percentile to $59,580 at the 90th percentile — a range of $29,780. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $63,130.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $29,800 |
| 25th percentile | $35,100 |
| Median (50th) | $38,370 |
| 75th percentile | $46,660 |
| 90th percentile | $59,580 |
Security Guard Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $63,130 |
| Alaska | $48,620 |
| Washington | $48,010 |
| Colorado | $46,080 |
| Minnesota | $46,020 |
| Massachusetts | $44,950 |
| New Hampshire | $44,510 |
| California | $43,930 |
| Oregon | $43,680 |
| Virginia | $43,440 |
| Vermont | $42,800 |
| New York | $42,680 |
| Utah | $42,440 |
| Hawaii | $41,770 |
| Maine | $41,400 |
| Missouri | $40,680 |
| Idaho | $40,610 |
| Connecticut | $39,990 |
| North Dakota | $39,970 |
| Wisconsin | $39,110 |
| Nebraska | $38,940 |
| Rhode Island | $38,900 |
| New Jersey | $38,720 |
| New Mexico | $38,650 |
| Illinois | $38,630 |
| Maryland | $38,590 |
| Arizona | $38,560 |
| Nevada | $38,340 |
| Montana | $38,300 |
| Michigan | $38,120 |
| Delaware | $37,690 |
| Pennsylvania | $37,680 |
| Indiana | $37,560 |
| Iowa | $37,380 |
| West Virginia | $37,220 |
| Arkansas | $37,090 |
| South Dakota | $37,010 |
| Oklahoma | $36,580 |
| Wyoming | $36,330 |
| Ohio | $36,180 |
| Florida | $36,090 |
| Kansas | $36,090 |
| Tennessee | $36,090 |
| North Carolina | $35,900 |
| Georgia | $35,670 |
| Kentucky | $35,520 |
| South Carolina | $34,820 |
| Texas | $33,390 |
| Louisiana | $31,660 |
| Alabama | $31,210 |
| Mississippi | $29,710 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Security Guards
Security Guard Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$29,800 – $35,100 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$38,370 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$46,660 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $59,580+ |
How to Earn More as a Security Guard
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Security Guards in Kennewick-Richland, WA earn $87,770 — $49,400 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($46,660) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Security Guard Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Security Guardthis career | $38,370 |
| Security Manager | $104,690 |
| Security Management Specialist | $81,270 |
| Firefighting and Prevention Worker Supervisor | $92,430 |
| Security Worker Supervisor | $58,610 |
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SOC: 33-9032.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.