Security Guards Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
BLS OES May 2025 · SOC 33-9032As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
US Salary Overview
The national median wage for security guards in the United States is $38,020 per year, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). Pay ranges from $30,210 at the 10th percentile to $58,840 at the 90th percentile. In the UK, the equivalent occupation (Security guards and related occupations) has a median of £30,819 — figures are shown in local currency and are not converted. Heading for a US interview? Interview prep guides cover the standard question frameworks.
US Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual (gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,210 | Entry level / lowest decile |
| 25th | $35,210 | Early career |
| 50th (median) | $38,020 | Typical pay |
| 75th | $46,200 | Experienced |
| 90th | $58,840 | Senior / highest decile |
Career Essentials
Role-specific interview prep for this occupation.
Check Price →Median Salary by State
| State | Median salary | Mean salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $64,210 | $60,720 | 16,000 |
| Alaska | $47,480 | $54,140 | 2,000 |
| Washington | $47,100 | $50,770 | 26,000 |
| Vermont | $45,550 | $50,770 | 930 |
| Oregon | $45,500 | $46,420 | 12,000 |
| New Hampshire | $45,200 | $47,850 | 2,000 |
| Colorado | $45,150 | $45,870 | 17,000 |
| Massachusetts | $44,670 | $44,760 | 24,000 |
| New York | $44,240 | $46,450 | 135,000 |
| Virginia | $43,640 | $47,070 | 35,000 |
| Minnesota | $43,380 | $45,460 | 14,000 |
| New Mexico | $43,320 | $46,300 | 8,000 |
| California | $43,240 | $44,920 | 199,000 |
| Hawaii | $42,820 | $43,470 | 10,000 |
| Utah | $42,700 | $43,050 | 7,000 |
| Missouri | $40,390 | $45,100 | 19,000 |
| Connecticut | $39,920 | $45,180 | 12,000 |
| Nebraska | $39,840 | $45,000 | 5,000 |
| Illinois | $39,490 | $44,240 | 54,000 |
| North Dakota | $39,310 | $43,150 | 1,000 |
| Wyoming | $39,200 | $42,660 | 1,000 |
| Maine | $39,100 | $41,390 | 2,000 |
| New Jersey | $38,880 | $43,520 | 42,000 |
| Montana | $38,480 | $42,270 | 2,000 |
| Idaho | $38,300 | $44,100 | 4,000 |
| Arizona | $38,290 | $40,950 | 30,000 |
| Maryland | $38,220 | $44,530 | 28,000 |
| Wisconsin | $37,440 | $41,390 | 12,000 |
| Nevada | $37,310 | $39,770 | 27,000 |
| South Dakota | $37,150 | $40,250 | 1,000 |
| Iowa | $37,080 | $42,220 | 7,000 |
| Kansas | $37,080 | $40,350 | 7,000 |
| Michigan | $37,080 | $40,640 | 25,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $37,050 | $40,180 | 44,000 |
| Rhode Island | $36,940 | $40,320 | 3,000 |
| Indiana | $36,490 | $40,660 | 20,000 |
| Delaware | $36,360 | $43,750 | 3,000 |
| Oklahoma | $36,270 | $39,560 | 12,000 |
| Tennessee | $36,000 | $38,500 | 28,000 |
| Texas | $35,980 | $38,550 | 106,000 |
| Florida | $35,900 | $37,610 | 95,000 |
| Arkansas | $35,770 | $38,300 | 6,000 |
| Ohio | $35,770 | $39,950 | 34,000 |
| South Carolina | $35,460 | $37,060 | 17,000 |
| Kentucky | $35,420 | $38,540 | 14,000 |
| North Carolina | $35,010 | $39,090 | 30,000 |
| Georgia | $34,980 | $37,890 | 36,000 |
| Alabama | $33,720 | $34,680 | 15,000 |
| Louisiana | $32,240 | $36,080 | 17,000 |
| Virgin Islands | $31,990 | $32,610 | 1,000 |
| Mississippi | $29,180 | $31,750 | 10,000 |
| West Virginia | $28,800 | $31,320 | 5,000 |
| Guam | $22,090 | $25,530 | 800 |
| Puerto Rico | $21,840 | $22,590 | 26,000 |
Recommended Gear & Prep
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Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · ONS ASHE Table 14/15, 2025 provisional · Page built 2026-07-18