Loading...
Loading...
Compare security guard licensing requirements across 51 US states and territories. Click any row to view that state's full licensing guide.
Avg. Median Salary
$39,538
across 51 states
Avg. Time to License
1 months
across 51 states
Avg. Initial Cost
$224
across 37 states
| State | Median Salary | Time to License | Initial Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $31,210#50 | 1 mo#1 | $240#19 | 1 mo#1 |
| Alaska | $48,620#2 | 1 mo#1 | $240#19 | 1 mo#1 |
| Arizona | $38,560#27 | 1 mo#1 | $147#9 | 1 mo#1 |
| Arkansas | $37,090#36 | 1 mo#1 | $215#9 | 1 mo#1 |
| California | $43,930#8 | 1 mo#1 | $249#28 | 1 mo#1 |
| Colorado | $46,080#4 | 1 mo#1 | — | 1 mo#1 |
| Connecticut | $39,990#18 | 1 mo#1 | $215#9 | 1 mo#1 |
| Delaware | $37,690#31 | 1 mo#1 | $240#19 | 1 mo#1 |
| District of Columbia | $63,130#1 | 1 mo#1 | $400#37 | 1 mo#1 |
| Florida | $36,090#41 | 1 mo#1 | $339.75#36 | 1 mo#1 |
| Georgia | $35,670#45 | 1 mo#1 | $240#19 | 1 mo#1 |
| Hawaii | $41,770#14 | 1 mo#1 | $215#9 | 1 mo#1 |
| Idaho | $40,610#17 | 1 mo#1 | — | 1 mo#1 |
| Illinois | $38,630#25 | 1 mo#1 | $260#31 | 1 mo#1 |
| Indiana | $37,560#33 | 1 mo#1 | $215#9 | 1 mo#1 |
| Iowa | $37,380#34 | 1 mo#1 | — | 1 mo#1 |
| Kansas | $36,090#41 | 1 mo#1 | — | 1 mo#1 |
| Kentucky | $35,520#46 | 1 mo#1 | — | 1 mo#1 |
| Louisiana | $31,660#49 | 1 mo#1 | $215#9 | 1 mo#1 |
| Maine | $41,400#15 | 1 mo#1 | $165#4 | 1 mo#1 |
| Maryland | $38,590#26 | 1 mo#1 | $250#29 | 1 mo#1 |
| Massachusetts | $44,950#6 | 1 mo#1 | — | 1 mo#1 |
| Michigan | $38,120#30 | 1 mo#1 | $165#4 | 1 mo#1 |
| Minnesota | $46,020#5 | 1 mo#1 | $165#4 | 1 mo#1 |
| Mississippi | $29,710#51 | 1 mo#1 | — | 1 mo#1 |
| Missouri | $40,680#16 | 1 mo#1 | — | 1 mo#1 |
| Montana | $38,300#29 | 1 mo#1 | $240#19 | 1 mo#1 |
| Nebraska | $38,940#21 | 1 mo#1 | — | 1 mo#1 |
| Nevada | $38,340#28 | 1 mo#1 | $135#2 | 1 mo#1 |
| New Hampshire | $44,510#7 | 1 mo#1 | — | 1 mo#1 |
| New Jersey | $38,720#23 | 1 mo#1 | $270#33 | 1 mo#1 |
| New Mexico | $38,650#24 | 1 mo#1 | $119.95#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| New York | $42,680#12 | 1 mo#1 | $274#34 | 1 mo#1 |
| North Carolina | $35,900#44 | 1 mo#1 | $240#19 | 1 mo#1 |
| North Dakota | $39,970#19 | 1 mo#1 | $240#19 | 1 mo#1 |
| Ohio | $36,180#40 | 1 mo#1 | $155#3 | 1 mo#1 |
| Oklahoma | $36,580#38 | 1 mo#1 | $240#19 | 1 mo#1 |
| Oregon | $43,680#9 | 1 mo#1 | $206.25#8 | 1 mo#1 |
| Pennsylvania | $37,680#32 | 1 mo#1 | $245#27 | 1 mo#1 |
| Rhode Island | $38,900#22 | 1 mo#1 | — | 1 mo#1 |
| South Carolina | $34,820#47 | 1 mo#1 | $215#9 | 1 mo#1 |
| South Dakota | $37,010#37 | 1 mo#1 | — | 1 mo#1 |
| Tennessee | $36,090#41 | 1 mo#1 | $195#31 | 1 mo#1 |
| Texas | $33,390#48 | 1 mo#1 | $177.25#7 | 1 mo#1 |
| Utah | $42,440#13 | 1 mo#1 | $215#9 | 1 mo#1 |
| Vermont | $42,800#11 | 1 mo#1 | — | 1 mo#1 |
| Virginia | $43,440#10 | 1 mo#1 | $250#29 | 1 mo#1 |
| Washington | $48,010#3 | 1 mo#1 | $275#35 | 1 mo#1 |
| West Virginia | $37,220#35 | 1 mo#1 | $215#9 | 1 mo#1 |
| Wisconsin | $39,110#20 | 1 mo#1 | $215#9 | 1 mo#1 |
| Wyoming | $36,330#39 | 1 mo#1 | — | 1 mo#1 |
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024. Timeline and processing times derived from state licensing board requirements. Cost includes government application and exam fees (excludes education/training costs). Rankings use dense ranking — tied values share the same rank.