According to recent figures issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a security guards salary is around $40,000. Pay rates vary widely, though, on the basis of location, years of experience, sector, armed or unarmed, etc. In this article, the mean salaries for security guards, state and city differences, and the manner in which allowances may be incorporated into overall remuneration are discussed.
Average security guard pay by city and state
Security guard salaries differ considerably from one state to the next and one city to another depending on variations in demand and cost of living for security services. Washington state, for example, pays a mean of nearly $39,000, while West Virginia’s mean is around $25,000. New York and San Francisco will pay higher due to high cost of living.
Top paying cities
Cities like Wasco, CA, Santa Clara, CA, and Emeryville, CA, are some of the highest paying cities for security guards, which are usually way above the national average by wide margins. These kinds of cities usually need to pay more to be able to attract and retain skilled personnel.
Factors affecting security guard wages
There are several factors that determine a security guard’s salary:
1. Geographic location
Salaries are increased in more expensive areas so that guards can reside in the region they patrol.
2. Experience level
More experienced guards will be paid more based on greater skills and reliability. Special training or certification will also be included in compensation.
3. Industry and risk level
Guards who patrol in more hazardous areas, like banks or government buildings, will be paid more because there is greater risk and accountability involved in their work.
4. Armed or unarmed
Armed guards are better paid than unarmed guards since they are more trained and have more responsibility if armed.
Although the basic salary serves as the foundation, allowances might form a significant portion of the entire remuneration of a security guard. Allowances might be in terms of bonus, overtime, and medical cover or pension scheme. For instance, a security guard might receive up to $4,700 annually based on performance or on specific job requirements.
Types of allowances
- Overtime pay: Unusual shifts like nights and weekends are typical for guards, which can be termed as overtime pay, along with their regular pay.
- Bonuses: Bonus at the year’s end or a performance bonus can bring in thousands of dollars of additional income on the guard’s yearly salary.
- Benefits: Pension schemes and medical insurance are included in the overall remuneration package.
Armed security officers receive higher salaries compared to unarmed security officers. Generally, as of the start of 2025, a mean yearly wage of an American armed security officer stands at around $49,048, ranging between $38,268 and $61,586.
Briefly, while the United States median security guard annual compensation is around $40,440, compensation can be significantly varied based on where one is employed, experience level and special job demand. Overtime and bonus may also be added to total compensation. Knowledge of the above factors is important to employers who want to offer competitive compensation as well as to individuals considering a career as a security guard.
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