Last Updated: March 17, 2026
Quick Answer: Unarmed security guards in the United States earn an average of $17.11 per hour according to 2026 ZipRecruiter data, with typical ranges from $15.38 (25th percentile) to $18.03 (75th percentile). The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median hourly wage of $17.82 for all security guards, which serves as a reliable baseline for unarmed positions. Pay varies significantly by location, experience, and industry, with urban markets like New York and New Jersey averaging $19-21 per hour.
Average Unarmed Security Guard Pay Per Hour (U.S.)
National Wage Data
Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Metric: Median (50th percentile)
- Hourly Figure: $17.82
- Annual Equivalent: $37,070
- Notes: All security guards, May 2023 data
Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Metric: Mean (average)
- Hourly Figure: $19.44
- Annual Equivalent: $40,440
- Notes: Includes armed and specialized roles
ZipRecruiter
- Metric: Unarmed Security Guard Average
- Hourly Figure: $17.11
- Annual Equivalent: $35,594
- Notes: Unarmed-specific, 2026
ZipRecruiter
- Metric: 25th-75th Percentile Range
- Hourly Figure: $15.38 – $18.03
- Annual Equivalent: $32,000 – $37,500
- Notes: Typical range for most unarmed guards
Pay Snapshot: What the Numbers Mean
- Median vs. Average: The median ($17.82) indicates half of guards earn less and half earn more, while the mean ($19.44) is skewed upward by high-paying armed and specialized roles.
- Percentile context: The 10th percentile earns $13.70/hour while the 90th percentile reaches $27.60/hour, showing significant advancement potential.
- Unarmed-specific reality: Unarmed guards typically cluster in the $15-18 range, with limited variation (only $2.65 between 25th-75th percentiles), suggesting pay compression in this segment.
Hourly Pay by State and City
High-Paying Markets
New York-Newark-Jersey City Metro Area: $21.18/hour average ($44,060 annually)
New York City specifically: Unarmed guards average $18.95-21.00/hour depending on site type, with recent postings showing rates near $19/hour for entry-level positions.
New Jersey: Security guards average $19.32/hour statewide, with urban areas commanding premium rates:
- Hoboken: $20.82/hour
- North Bergen: $21.23/hour
- New Milford: $21.40/hour
Top-paying states for security guards overall:
- District of Columbia: $26.36/hour
- Alaska: $25.10/hour
- Maryland: $22.81/hour
- Washington: $22.69/hour
- California: $21.61/hour
Cost of Living Considerations
While California and New York show higher hourly rates, these primarily offset elevated living costs rather than representing true purchasing power advantages. The limited wage variation across locations suggests unarmed security pay is relatively standardized nationally.
Unarmed vs. Armed Security Guard Pay
Armed security guards earn substantially more due to increased responsibility, risk, and training requirements. ZipRecruiter reports armed guards average $19.78-21.24/hour compared to $17.11 for unarmed roles—a premium of 15-25%.
Key differences:
- Licensing: Armed guards require firearms certification, background checks, and psychological evaluations
- Training: Additional 40+ hours of weapons training versus basic guard card requirements
- Site risk: Armed positions typically protect high-value assets, cash transport, or high-threat environments
- Insurance costs: Employers pay higher premiums for armed personnel, justifying wage premiums
For those considering career progression, transitioning from unarmed to armed can increase hourly pay by $2.50-4.00, depending on market and employer.
What Affects Unarmed Guard Hourly Rates?
Location and Market Demand
Urban centers with a high cost of living and dense commercial activity pay 15-25% above national averages. The New York metro area employs over 131,000 security guards at an average of $21.18/hour, while rural areas may pay 10-15% below the median.
Experience and Tenure
- Entry-level (0-1 year): $15.26/hour average
- Early career (1-4 years): $16.17/hour average
- Mid-career (5-9 years): $17.50+/hour
- Senior guards (10+ years): Can exceed $20/hour in premium markets
Industry and Employer Type
Highest-paying industries for security guards:
- Natural Gas Distribution: $43.22/hour (specialized roles)
- Hospitals: $21.61/hour
- Elementary/Secondary Schools: $21.38/hour
- Travel Accommodation: $19.48/hour
- Investigation/Security Services: $18.64/hour (most common employer)
Employer size impact: Government agencies and large corporations typically pay $2-4/hour more than small retail establishments due to budget capacity and risk exposure.
Specialized Skills and Certifications
Guards with additional certifications can command $1-3/hour premiums:
- First Aid/CPR certification
- Crowd management training
- Fire safety officer credentials
- Access control systems expertise
- Bilingual capabilities (especially Spanish in urban markets)
Shift Differentials and Overtime
Night shift differential: Typically $1-3/hour premium for hours worked between 10 PM and 6 AM.
Weekend/holiday pay: Often 1.5x base rate, translating to $25-27/hour during premium times.
Overtime: After 40 hours/week, federal law requires 1.5x pay, making extended shifts lucrative for guards seeking maximum earnings.
Overtime, Night Shift, and Benefits
Compensation Beyond Base Pay
Typical benefits package for full-time unarmed guards includes:
- Health insurance (70% of employers)
- Paid time off (average 10 days/year)
- Retirement plans (401k matching at 25% of companies)
- Uniform allowance ($200-400 annually)
- Continuing education reimbursement
Part-time considerations: Many unarmed positions are part-time, averaging 25-32 hours/week at $17/hour, yielding $22,000-28,000 annual income without benefits.
Real-World Earnings Example
A full-time unarmed guard in New Jersey working:
- 40 hours/week at $19/hour base rate = $39,520 annually
- Plus 5 hours/week night differential ($2 premium) = additional $520
- Plus 80 hours annual overtime at 1.5x = an additional $2,280
- Total potential earnings: $42,320 before benefits
How to Earn More: Training and Career Paths
Certification Pathways
- Basic Guard Card: Required in most states, 8-16 hours of training
- First Aid/CPR: 4-8 hours, $1-2/hour wage increase
- Fire Guard Certification: Required for some sites, $2-3/hour premium
- Supervisory Training: 40+ hours, qualifies for lead guard roles at $20-22/hour
Advancement Opportunities
Promotion timeline:
- 0-1 year: Entry-level guard ($15-16/hour)
- 1-3 years: Experienced guard ($17-19/hour)
- 3-5 years: Lead guard/supervisor ($20-22/hour)
- 5+ years: Site manager or specialized roles ($23-27/hour)
Specialized high-paying roles:
- Hospital security: $21.61/hour average
- Corporate executive protection: $25-30/hour
- Event security (major venues): $22-28/hour
- Government contract security: $24-26/hour
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the starting hourly pay for unarmed security guards?
Entry-level unarmed guards typically start at $13.70-15.26/hour (10th percentile to entry-level average). In high-cost markets like NYC or San Francisco, starting rates may be $16-18/hour due to local wage pressures.
Do unarmed guards get overtime and night shift differential?
Yes. Federal law mandates 1.5x pay after 40 hours/week. Night shift differentials typically add $1-3/hour for late shifts, and weekend work often pays premium rates. A guard working 45 hours, including 8 night hours, could earn an extra $150-200 weekly.
Which industries pay unarmed guards more?
Hospitals ($21.61/hour), schools ($21.38/hour), and corporate facilities pay 15-25% above retail or event security. Government contracts and specialized sites (data centers, pharmaceutical facilities) also command premium rates.
Does certification/training raise hourly rates?
Yes. First Aid/CPR certification can increase pay by $1-2/hour. Fire safety, crowd control, and supervisory training each add similar premiums. Combined certifications can boost base pay by $3-5/hour total.
Can you live with an unarmed security guard in NYC?
With average rates of $18.95-21/hour in NYC, a full-time guard earns $39,000-44,000 annually. While challenging given NYC’s high cost of living, it’s feasible with overtime, night differentials, and benefits. Many guards supplement their income with second jobs or live in outer boroughs.
Does the client pay more than the guard earns?
Yes. Security companies typically bill clients $25-35/hour while paying guards $17-19/hour. The difference covers insurance, equipment, management overhead, and profit margins. This markup is standard across the industry.
Methodology and Data Sources
Data compilation: This guide synthesizes May 2023 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics (the most recent comprehensive federal data) with real-time 2026 ZipRecruiter job posting data and market-specific research for NYC/NJ regions.
Update frequency: Wage data is reviewed quarterly and updated when the BLS releases new occupational statistics (typically annually in April) or when market shifts exceed 5% variance.
About Dahlcore Security Services
Dahlcore has provided professional security solutions for over 10 years, employing hundreds of licensed security professionals across New York and New Jersey. Our team includes former law enforcement, military veterans, and certified security specialists with decades of combined industry experience.
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