How much does a security guard make?
a year · about $18 an hour
A typical security guard in the United States makes $38,020 a year, about $18 an hour, below a typical US worker ($50,980) (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
A guard may check who enters, watch camera screens, or walk a patrol route looking for trouble. They write reports and call police, firefighters, or medics if something happens.
Did you know? A U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics study found security guards spend about 62% of the workday standing—not sitting.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $30,210 and $58,840How do you become one?
In the U.S., finish high school or earn a GED, then meet state rules—usually age 18 or older, a background check, and training; most states require a license. Armed jobs need extra firearms training and may have stricter age rules.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can differ with experience, valued training or licenses, the employer, and location. Posts with more complex duties or special skills can also pay differently.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in District of Columbia ($64,210), lowest in West Virginia ($28,800).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
In Japan, a security guard averages $25,329. Security guard salary in Japan
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30,210 | $38,020 | $58,840 | about 1.3 million |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $64,210 | about 16,000 |
| Alaska | $47,480 | about 2,000 |
| Washington | $47,100 | about 26,000 |
| Vermont | $45,550 | about 930 |
| Oregon | $45,500 | about 12,000 |
Official definition: Guard, patrol, or monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules. May operate x-ray and metal detector equipment. Excludes “Police Officers” (33-3050) and “Transportation Security Screeners” (33-9093).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/security-guards.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/33-9032.00
- www.bls.gov/ors/factsheet/security-guards.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes339032.htm
- www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/print/security-guards.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY