How much does a security guard make?
Typical yearly pay for security guards in the United States.
median pay per year, about $3,168 a month or $18.28 an hour.
That's more than 10% of the 100 jobs in our salary guide, ranking #90 of 100.
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| Animal trainer | $39,990 |
| Barber | $38,210 |
| Veterinary assistant | $38,150 |
| Security guard | $38,020 |
| Restaurant cook | $37,390 |
| Baker | $37,160 |
| Janitor | $36,840 |
Similar jobs
- Garbage collector$49,690
- Private detective$51,220
- Correctional officer$58,940
- Firefighter$59,280
- Water treatment operator$60,020
- Mail carrier$60,550
How much does a security guard make per hour?
About $18.28 an hour, if you spread the median yearly pay over a standard 40-hour week, 52 weeks a year. Actual hourly pay varies with overtime, shift work and location.
Becoming a security guard
The U.S. Department of Labor's career profile covers the training, licenses and day-to-day tasks for this job.
How to become a security guard
About this number
This is the national median wage for the occupation “Security Guards” (code 33-9032.00) from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025 release, as published on O*NET OnLine. The median is the middle value: half of workers earn more, half earn less.