Security guards play a crucial role in protecting people, property, and assets by maintaining a safe and secure environment through monitoring, patrolling, and responding to security threats.
This article will explore the best states for security guards, based on the average annual salary for the occupation.
- 1. District of Columbia ($52,940)
- 2. Maryland ($44,070)
- 3. Alaska ($43,750)
- 4. Washington ($43,750)
- 5. New York ($41,690)
- 6. Idaho ($41,290)
- 7. Massachusetts ($40,760)
- 8. Virginia ($40,620)
- 9. California ($39,120)
- 10. Colorado ($38,750)
- Conclusion
Key Takeaways
- The highest-paid security guards are in District of Columbia, where they earn an average of $52,940 per year.
- The lowest-paid security guards are in Puerto Rico, where they earn an average of $18,730 per year.
- The U.S. average salary for security guards is $35,061 per year.
1. District of Columbia ($52,940)
Security Guards in District of Columbia earn the highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
security guards in District of Columbia is
$52,940, which is +51% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $52,940 |
| 10th Percentile | $37,070 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,540 |
| 75th Percentile | $62,210 |
| 90th Percentile | $74,260 |
2. Maryland ($44,070)
Security Guards in Maryland earn the 2nd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
security guards in Maryland is
$44,070, which is +26% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $44,070 |
| 10th Percentile | $28,870 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,840 |
| 75th Percentile | $58,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $71,670 |
3. Alaska ($43,750)
Security Guards in Alaska earn the 3rd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
security guards in Alaska is
$43,750, which is +25% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $43,750 |
| 10th Percentile | $30,180 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,570 |
| 75th Percentile | $45,410 |
| 90th Percentile | $60,730 |
4. Washington ($43,750)
Security Guards in Washington earn the 4th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
security guards in Washington is
$43,750, which is +25% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $43,750 |
| 10th Percentile | $32,520 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,540 |
| 75th Percentile | $45,540 |
| 90th Percentile | $58,240 |
5. New York ($41,690)
Security Guards in New York earn the 5th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
security guards in New York is
$41,690, which is +19% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $41,690 |
| 10th Percentile | $30,310 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,740 |
| 75th Percentile | $47,460 |
| 90th Percentile | $57,160 |
6. Idaho ($41,290)
Security Guards in Idaho earn the 6th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
security guards in Idaho is
$41,290, which is +18% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $41,290 |
| 10th Percentile | $23,500 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,310 |
| 75th Percentile | $48,550 |
| 90th Percentile | $74,140 |
7. Massachusetts ($40,760)
Security Guards in Massachusetts earn the 7th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
security guards in Massachusetts is
$40,760, which is +16% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $40,760 |
| 10th Percentile | $31,070 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $44,110 |
| 90th Percentile | $51,870 |
8. Virginia ($40,620)
Security Guards in Virginia earn the 8th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
security guards in Virginia is
$40,620, which is +16% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $40,620 |
| 10th Percentile | $27,730 |
| 25th Percentile | $29,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $44,710 |
| 90th Percentile | $62,630 |
9. California ($39,120)
Security Guards in California earn the 9th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
security guards in California is
$39,120, which is +12% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $39,120 |
| 10th Percentile | $31,150 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,940 |
| 75th Percentile | $41,790 |
| 90th Percentile | $47,130 |
10. Colorado ($38,750)
Security Guards in Colorado earn the 10th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
security guards in Colorado is
$38,750, which is +11% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $38,750 |
| 10th Percentile | $28,770 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,120 |
| 75th Percentile | $42,060 |
| 90th Percentile | $47,830 |
Conclusion
The highest-paid security guards are in District of Columbia, where they earn an average of $52,940 per year. The lowest-paid security guards are in Puerto Rico, where they earn an average of $18,730 per year. The U.S. average salary for security guards is $35,061 per year and there are 1,154,450 jobs in the field.
