Security Guard salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A security guard earns a median of $38,020 a year ($18.28 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $42,470. About 1,283,470 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $38,020
- Gross pay
- $1,462.31
- Federal income tax
- −$91.63
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$90.66
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$21.20
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $1,258.81
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $38,020
- Federal
- $2,382
- FICA
- $2,909
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $32,729
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
Security Guard salary by state
| State | Median salary | Average | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $64,210 | $60,720 | 15,880 |
| Alaska | $47,480 | $54,140 | 2,100 |
| Washington | $47,100 | $50,770 | 25,800 |
| Vermont | $45,550 | $50,770 | 930 |
| Oregon | $45,500 | $46,420 | 12,200 |
| New Hampshire | $45,200 | $47,850 | 2,450 |
| Colorado | $45,150 | $45,870 | 16,890 |
| Massachusetts | $44,670 | $44,760 | 23,930 |
| New York | $44,240 | $46,450 | 134,700 |
| Virginia | $43,640 | $47,070 | 34,870 |
| Minnesota | $43,380 | $45,460 | 14,440 |
| New Mexico | $43,320 | $46,300 | 8,410 |
| California | $43,240 | $44,920 | 199,480 |
| Hawaii | $42,820 | $43,470 | 10,160 |
| Utah | $42,700 | $43,050 | 7,310 |
| Missouri | $40,390 | $45,100 | 18,630 |
| Connecticut | $39,920 | $45,180 | 12,100 |
| Nebraska | $39,840 | $45,000 | 4,700 |
| Illinois | $39,490 | $44,240 | 53,830 |
| North Dakota | $39,310 | $43,150 | 1,310 |
| Wyoming | $39,200 | $42,660 | 1,130 |
| Maine | $39,100 | $41,390 | 1,930 |
| New Jersey | $38,880 | $43,520 | 41,540 |
| Montana | $38,480 | $42,270 | 1,610 |
| Idaho | $38,300 | $44,100 | 3,750 |
| Arizona | $38,290 | $40,950 | 29,820 |
| Maryland | $38,220 | $44,530 | 27,670 |
| Wisconsin | $37,440 | $41,390 | 12,030 |
| Nevada | $37,310 | $39,770 | 26,680 |
| South Dakota | $37,150 | $40,250 | 1,460 |
| Iowa | $37,080 | $42,220 | 6,890 |
| Kansas | $37,080 | $40,350 | 7,150 |
| Michigan | $37,080 | $40,640 | 25,240 |
| Pennsylvania | $37,050 | $40,180 | 43,610 |
| Rhode Island | $36,940 | $40,320 | 3,160 |
| Indiana | $36,490 | $40,660 | 19,930 |
| Delaware | $36,360 | $43,750 | 3,430 |
| Oklahoma | $36,270 | $39,560 | 12,210 |
| Tennessee | $36,000 | $38,500 | 27,690 |
| Texas | $35,980 | $38,550 | 106,210 |
| Florida | $35,900 | $37,610 | 95,370 |
| Arkansas | $35,770 | $38,300 | 6,390 |
| Ohio | $35,770 | $39,950 | 34,450 |
| South Carolina | $35,460 | $37,060 | 16,610 |
| Kentucky | $35,420 | $38,540 | 13,580 |
| North Carolina | $35,010 | $39,090 | 29,830 |
| Georgia | $34,980 | $37,890 | 36,210 |
| Alabama | $33,720 | $34,680 | 15,210 |
| Louisiana | $32,240 | $36,080 | 17,210 |
| Mississippi | $29,180 | $31,750 | 10,160 |
| West Virginia | $28,800 | $31,320 | 5,200 |
Similar jobs
- Crossing Guard and Flagger: $38,100
- School Bus Monitor: $35,100
- Lifeguard: $33,580
- Protective Service Worker: $42,540
- Gambling Surveillance Officer and Gambling Investigator: $43,370
- Animal Control Worker: $45,660
- Parking Enforcement Worker: $46,730
- Private Detective and Investigator: $51,220
BLS occupation: Security Guards. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 33-9032). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $18.28; the average is $20.42.
Which state pays security guards the most?
District of Columbia ($64,210 median), followed by Alaska and Washington.
What is the salary range for a security guard?
The bottom 10% earn under $30,210 and the top 10% earn over $58,840 a year.
How much is $38,020 after taxes?
About $32,729 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $31,731 in California for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.