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Create CVIf you’re searching “security guard salary US” or asking how much a security guard makes in the United States, the answer depends heavily on location, industry, certifications, and whether the role is armed or unarmed.
From a recruiter and compensation expert perspective, security guard pay is one of the most misunderstood compensation categories because the range is extremely wide. A basic unarmed guard in retail earns very differently compared to an armed guard in federal contracting or a high-security corporate role.
This guide breaks down:
Average security guard salary in the US
Salary by experience level
Armed vs unarmed salary differences
Total compensation (base, overtime, bonuses)
Industry and location impact
How to increase your earnings strategically
Entry-level: $28,000 – $36,000
Mid-level: $36,000 – $48,000
Experienced / specialized: $48,000 – $65,000
High-security / armed / federal: $65,000 – $90,000+
Median salary: ~$40,000
Hourly rate: $16 – $22 per hour
Top 10%: $70,000+
Salary range: $28,000 – $36,000
Hourly: $14 – $18
Typical roles:
Unarmed retail guard
Event security
Warehouse security
Key drivers:
Reliability and attendance
Basic licensing (state-required)
At this level, companies optimize for cost. Negotiation leverage is limited unless you bring certifications.
Security guard jobs are typically hourly, which changes compensation dynamics.
Low-end: $14/hour
Average: $18–$20/hour
High-end: $30–$45/hour (specialized roles)
Many guards work:
This can increase total earnings by 20–50% annually.
Example:
Base: $40,000
Overtime: $12,000
Average monthly: ~$3,300
High-end monthly: $5,000 – $7,500+
Recruiter insight: Most employers budget security roles hourly, not salaried. Overtime is a major earnings driver.
Salary range: $36,000 – $48,000
Hourly: $18 – $23
Common roles:
Corporate security
Hospital security
Campus security
What increases pay:
Clean incident record
Supervisory responsibilities
Experience in high-risk environments
Salary range: $48,000 – $65,000
Hourly: $22 – $30
Roles:
Lead guard
Shift supervisor
Armed security
Key shift: Moving into armed roles or leadership dramatically increases earnings.
Salary range: $65,000 – $90,000+
Top-tier (executive protection): $100,000+
Includes:
Armed federal contracts
Executive protection
Critical infrastructure security
Important: These roles require certifications, training, and often military or law enforcement background.
Total earnings: $52,000
Salary: $28,000 – $45,000
Lower barrier to entry
High supply of workers
Salary: $45,000 – $80,000+
Requires:
Firearms license
Additional training
Why higher pay?
Higher liability
Increased risk
Lower supply of qualified candidates
Salary: $28,000 – $40,000
Lower pay, high turnover
Salary: $35,000 – $50,000
Higher pay due to risk exposure
Salary: $40,000 – $60,000
More stable schedules
Salary: $55,000 – $90,000+
Often includes benefits and overtime
High-paying niche with:
Travel requirements
Advanced training
California: $40,000 – $65,000
New York: $42,000 – $68,000
Washington: $45,000 – $70,000
Texas: $32,000 – $50,000
Florida: $30,000 – $48,000
Location affects:
Hourly rates
Overtime availability
Type of contracts available
Security guard compensation is simpler than tech roles but still includes multiple components.
Base hourly pay: 80–90%
Overtime: 10–40%
Bonuses: 0–10%
Health insurance (varies widely)
Paid time off (limited in entry-level roles)
Retirement plans (more common in government roles)
Higher pay requires:
Armed certification
State licenses
CPR / first aid
Higher risk = higher pay.
Examples:
Retail: low risk
Hospital: medium risk
Armed transport: high risk
Government and corporate contracts pay more due to:
Compliance requirements
Liability
This is one of the biggest income drivers.
Military or law enforcement backgrounds significantly increase earning potential.
This alone can increase pay by 30–70%.
Examples:
Hospitals
Government contracts
Critical infrastructure
Top earners maximize:
Night shifts
Weekend shifts
This is the highest-paying path.
Security companies often underpay long-term employees.
Weak Example: Staying 5+ years with no pay increase
Good Example: Switching companies every 2–3 years for higher hourly rates
No certifications
Staying in low-paying sectors (retail)
Not leveraging overtime
Lack of negotiation
Security firms operate on tight margins.
They:
Win contracts based on cost
Pay employees accordingly
This means:
Security Guard → Supervisor: +15–30%
Supervisor → Manager: +20–40%
Manager → Director of Security: $80K–$140K+
Top earners in security reach:
Typically through:
Executive protection
Federal contracts
Security management
The security guard salary in the US ranges from $28,000 to over $100,000 depending on your path.
Your income is determined by:
Certifications
Industry
Risk level
Overtime strategy
Top earners in this field are not just guards.
They:
Specialize
Take on higher-risk roles
Move into premium contracts
That’s the difference between earning $35K and $100K+ in the same profession.
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