Updated Date: March 16, 2026
Most security guards in the United States earn about $18.50 per hour and around $38,000 per year based on recent national wage data for the occupation code 33‑9032. Entry‑level guards often start closer to 14–15 dollars per hour, while experienced and specialized guards can reach or exceed the mid‑20‑dollar range, especially in large metro areas and high‑risk posts.
Understanding Security Guard Roles
Security guards, whether in-house or contracted, serve as the first line of defense against potential threats by conducting regular patrols, monitoring surveillance systems, and ensuring compliance with safety protocols. Armed security professionals may be tasked with more high-risk environments and have additional responsibilities, such as responding to emergencies and potentially violent situations. At the same time, unarmed guards focus primarily on deterring unauthorized access and providing a visible presence to prevent criminal activity.
Quick Answer and Average Pay
Across major data sources, typical U.S. security guard pay clusters around 18–19 dollars per hour, with a national median of about 18.45 dollars hourly and 38,370 dollars annually as of 2024 estimates. Salary aggregators that track current job postings report similar averages around 18.1 dollars per hour, confirming that most working guards fall near this range today.
Here is a simple view of national wages for security guards (SOC 33‑9032) using recent BLS percentile data, rounded for readability.
Percentile (U.S.): 10%
- Hourly wage: $13.70
- Annual wage: $28,500
Percentile (U.S.): 25%
- Hourly wage: $15.22
- Annual wage: $31,660
Percentile (U.S.): 50% (median)
- Hourly wage: $17.82
- Annual wage: $37,070
Percentile (U.S.): 75%
- Hourly wage: $21.46
- Annual wage: $44,630
Percentile (U.S.): 90%
- Hourly wage: $27.60
- Annual wage: $57,400
*Annual figures assume full‑time, year‑round work based on BLS methodology.
Pay by Experience, Role, and Location
Entry‑level unarmed security guards typically earn near the 10th–25th percentile, around 14–16 dollars per hour, while experienced guards with strong work history and clean records often move toward or above the median range. Supervisors, site leads, and specialized roles such as hospital security, loss prevention officers, and executive protection personnel often command higher rates in the upper percentiles, reflecting added responsibility and risk.
Armed security officers and higher‑risk assignments (banks, armored transport, VIP/executive protection, certain construction or industrial sites) routinely pay more than standard unarmed posts because they require extra licensing, firearms training, and risk tolerance. Geography is also critical: in the New York–Newark–Jersey City metro area, average guard wages are about 21.18 dollars per hour and around 44,060 dollars per year, noticeably above the national mean due to higher costs of living and strong demand.
Typical Ranges by Role (National, Approximate)
- Unarmed security guard: about $15–$19 per hour in many markets, depending on employer and shift.
- Armed security officer: often $20–$30 per hour at reputable firms or high‑risk posts, especially in large cities.
- Security supervisor/site lead: frequently in the low‑ to mid‑20‑dollar range per hour, sometimes higher in unionized or high‑profile sites.
- Event and stadium security: pay can range from near entry‑level rates up to supervisor‑level pay during major events, especially where overtime and night/weekend premiums apply.
Factors that Affect What Security Guards Get Paid
Several consistent factors explain why one security guard might earn 15 dollars per hour while another earns 25 dollars per hour doing similar‑looking work on the surface.
- Experience and tenure: Guards with longer service records and positive performance reviews tend to move into higher‑paying posts and supervisory roles.
- Licensing and certifications: Armed guard permits, state‑specific licenses, specialized training (e.g., hospital, industrial, or executive protection), and credentials like CPR/first aid often justify higher wages.
- Risk level and environment: High‑risk or sensitive sites—financial institutions, hospitals, critical infrastructure, VIP protection—generally offer better pay to attract qualified, reliable personnel.
- Shift type and overtime: Night shifts, weekends, and holidays may include differentials, and overtime beyond 40 hours per week is commonly paid at time‑and‑a‑half, boosting total income.
- Union and employer type: Government contracts, hospitals, and large security companies with unionized workforces can offer higher base pay and stronger benefits than some small private contracts.
Additional Compensation and Benefits
Overtime Pay
Security personnel often have access to overtime pay, especially during high-demand periods or events requiring extended coverage. Overtime rates typically exceed standard hourly wages, sometimes by 1.5 to 2 times the regular rate, providing a significant boost to earnings for those willing to work extra hours.
Health Insurance and Retirement Benefits
Many security jobs, especially those with larger companies or government entities, offer comprehensive benefits packages. These packages can include health insurance, dental and vision coverage, life insurance, and retirement plans such as 401(k) or pensions, adding substantial value beyond the base salary.
Paid Time Off
Paid time off, including vacation days, sick days, and holidays, is a common benefit for security personnel. The amount of paid time off varies by employer but typically increases with tenure, enhancing job satisfaction and work-life balance.
How To Earn More as a Security Guard (and Where Dahlcore Fits)
Moving from entry‑level wages toward upper‑tier guard salaries typically involves stacking credentials, choosing higher‑value niches, and targeting markets where demand and wages are stronger. Common levers include upgrading from unarmed to armed roles, pursuing supervisor or field training officer positions, and positioning for sectors like hospital security, corporate campuses, and executive protection.
A training‑focused provider like Dahlcore can position this page as a bridge from salary research into real career steps: explain how your security school helps new guards qualify for licenses, armed certifications, and advanced roles, and how your staffing or “Working at Dahlcore” pathways compare to local averages in New York and New Jersey. On the page itself, use concise calls to action such as inviting readers to explore upcoming courses, request a pay review, or apply for open positions that pay competitively relative to regional BLS and O*NET benchmarks.
FAQs: Security Guard Salary Questions
How much does an entry‑level security guard make per hour?
Most entry‑level security guards in the U.S. start near the lower percentiles of the wage distribution, often around $14–$16 per hour, depending on state, employer type, and shift.
Do armed security guards get paid more?
Yes, armed security officers almost always earn more than unarmed guards because they must meet additional licensing, training, and risk requirements, with many roles paying $20–$30 per hour in higher‑demand metros.
Which states or cities pay security guards the most?
High‑cost, high‑demand areas such as parts of California, New York, and Hawaii show some of the highest average wages for security guards, frequently above $21 per hour in specific metros.
Can security guards make a living wage?
Many guards earn near the national median of about $38,000 per year, but reaching a comfortable living wage is much more achievable when guards pursue armed roles, specialized sectors, union positions, or supervisory posts.
How can a security guard increase their salary quickly?
The fastest paths typically include obtaining state‑approved training, earning an armed guard license, targeting higher‑pay industries like hospitals or corporate security, and taking on overtime or leadership roles when available.
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