How Much Do Security Guards Make? Salary by State (2026)

“How much do security guards make?” is a key question for anyone considering this in-demand field. Security guard pay varies significantly by state, type of security work, armed vs. unarmed status, and industry. This guide presents verified BLS salary data for security guards across every state, breaks down what factors affect pay, and compares earnings to the cost of getting licensed.

National Salary Overview

According to BLS data (May 2024), the national median annual wage for security guards is $0. Security is one of the largest occupational categories in the country, with employment across virtually every industry — from retail and healthcare to government and corporate campuses.

Security Guard Salary by State

The table below shows security guard wages across all states with available BLS data, sorted by median annual salary from highest to lowest.

Top 10 Highest-Paying States for Security Guards

These states offer the highest median annual wages for security guards according to BLS data:

Licensing Cost vs. Earning Potential

Security guard licensing is one of the most affordable professional licenses. Most states require a background check, basic training (often 8–40 hours), and a modest licensing fee. Compared to the national median salary of $0, the investment to get licensed is minimal — making security one of the fastest paths from licensing to earning.

Our database tracks licensing costs across 37 states. See your state’s specific fees on our security guard requirements page.

Factors That Affect Security Guard Pay

1. Armed vs. Unarmed

Armed security guards consistently earn more than unarmed guards. Armed positions require additional training, firearms certification, and carry greater responsibility and risk. The pay premium for armed guards can be significant — often 20–30% or more above unarmed positions.

2. Industry

Security guards in certain industries earn above average. Government and military installations, nuclear facilities, hospitals, and financial institutions tend to pay premium wages. Retail and residential security positions typically fall at or below the median.

3. Location

As the state data shows, location significantly impacts security guard pay. States with higher costs of living, major metro areas, and concentrated commercial or government activity tend to offer higher wages. Urban positions generally pay more than rural ones.

4. Shift and Schedule

Security guards who work overnight, weekend, or holiday shifts often receive differential pay that can meaningfully increase their annual earnings. Some positions also offer overtime opportunities that push total compensation well above base wages.

5. Experience and Certifications

Entry-level guards typically start near the 25th percentile. Guards who earn additional certifications (CPR/first aid, de-escalation, surveillance systems, executive protection) and accumulate years of experience can move into supervisory roles or specialized positions that pay substantially more.

Get Started: Security Guard Licensing Requirements

Ready to begin your security career? Check your state’s specific licensing requirements, training hours, and fees:

Salary data on this page is from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024). Licensing cost data is from our verified state-by-state database. Actual earnings vary by location, experience, armed/unarmed status, and industry. Visit bls.gov for the most current figures.