Security Guards Salary (2025)
Based on 1,283,470 employed workers · BLS OEWS May 2025
Salary Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
10th Percentile Bottom 10% | $30,210 |
25th Percentile Lower quarter | $35,210 |
50th PercentileMedian Median | $38,020 |
75th Percentile Upper quarter | $46,200 |
90th Percentile Top 10% | $58,840 |
Salary Distribution
Annual Salary Range
10th
$30K
25th
$35K
Median
$38K
75th
$46K
90th
$59K
Highest Paying States for Security Guards
States with highest average wages · BLS May 2025
| State | Annual Mean |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $60,720 |
| Alaska | $54,140 |
| Vermont | $50,770 |
| Washington | $50,770 |
| New Hampshire | $47,850 |
| Virginia | $47,070 |
| New York | $46,450 |
| Oregon | $46,420 |
| New Mexico | $46,300 |
| Colorado | $45,870 |
Geographic Salary Variation
Security Guards salaries vary significantly across the United States. The highest paying state is District of Columbia at an average of $60,720 per year, while Colorado has an average of $45,870 — a difference of $14,850. These geographic differences reflect variations in cost of living, demand, and local labor market conditions.
Highest Paying Metro Areas
Top cities by average annual wage
About Security Guards
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1,283,470 workers were employed as Security Guardss in the United States as of May 2025. This occupation is classified under Protective Service Occupations. The annual mean wage of $42,470 reflects data from employer surveys conducted by BLS.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC Code: 33-9032