Salary data · Bespree
Security Guard Salary in New York City
Security Guards in the New York City area earn a median of $20.21/hr — based on BLS OEWS May 2024.
At median pay, that's roughly $42,037/year, $808/week, or $3,500/month (40-hour week, before taxes).
About security guards
Job duties, work environment, and education based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What security guards do
Security guards protect property, assets, and people. They patrol premises, monitor surveillance equipment, inspect buildings, control access with gates and doors, write reports of daily activities and irregularities, and call the police or fire department in emergencies. Some guards are stationed at a single location such as a bank or store, while others patrol large areas. Guards may also screen visitors, operate X-ray machines, and detain rule violators until police arrive.
Work environment
Security guards work in a wide variety of settings including retail stores, office buildings, hospitals, government facilities, and outdoor venues. Many positions require standing or walking for long periods. The work can be outdoors in all weather conditions. Security guards often work shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, because security coverage is needed around the clock. Some positions involve risk of confrontation.
How to become one
Most security guard jobs require a high school diploma or equivalent. Training requirements vary by state — many states require guards to be registered or licensed and complete a training program covering topics like emergency procedures and detention of suspects. Armed guards must meet additional requirements including firearms training and permits. Background checks and drug testing are standard.
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — bls.gov/ooh. BLS content is in the public domain.
Hourly wage ranges
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th) | $17.01 | $35,381 |
| 25th percentile | $17.74 | $36,899 |
| Median (50th) | $20.21 | $42,037 |
| 75th percentile | $23.88 | $49,670 |
| Top earners (90th) | $29.13 | $60,590 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024 · Annual estimate = hourly × 2,080 hrs · Actual annual income varies by hours worked and schedule.
Security Guards — Hourly Pay Distribution
Percentile range from entry-level to top earners
How New York City compares
Security Guards pay by metro
| Metro | Median/hr |
|---|---|
| New York City | $20.21 |
| Los Angeles | $20.64 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford | $20.26 |
| New Haven | $19.61 |
| Chicago | $18.57 |
| Philadelphia | $18.56 |
| Miami | $17.53 |
| Trenton-Princeton | $16.94 |
| Houston | $15.62 |
Security Guards — Median Hourly Pay by Metro
Sorted by median pay, highest to lowest
Job outlook for Security Guards
National employment projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
🔵 Little or no change
+0.8% projected growth, 2024–2034
+9,600
2024–2034
~154,800
New + replacement
1,132,300
2024 estimate
High school diploma
Entry-level
On-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034. Published August 2025. National-level projections — local growth may differ.
Skills & qualifications
Key skills and knowledge areas from O*NET OnLine, plus representative tools compiled by Bespree for security guards.
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Social Perceptiveness
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Public Safety and Security
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Law and Government
- Administration and Management
- Two-way radios
- Surveillance cameras
- Metal detectors
- Access control systems
- Flashlights
Skills and knowledge data from O*NET OnLine, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Bespree has selected and summarized a subset of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Tools & technology listed are representative examples compiled by Bespree.
Commute-adjusted effective wage
What you actually earn after subtracting the cost of getting to work.
Effective hourly wage after estimated commute costs, based on a 40-hr work week.
| Commute mode | Monthly cost | Hourly impact | Effective wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| No commute cost (baseline) | — | — | $20.21 |
| NYC Subway (unlimited monthly) | ~$132/mo | −$0.76/hr | $19.45/hr |
| Driving + parking (estimate) | ~$550/mo | −$3.17/hr | $17.04/hr |
Methodology: Commute cost is deducted from median hourly wage assuming 2,080 working hours per year (52 weeks × 40 hrs). Costs are directional estimates based on published transit fares or AAA average variable driving costs. Actual costs vary by distance, schedule, vehicle, and commute days.
NYC Subway (unlimited monthly): MTA 30-day unlimited pass, 2024 rate.
Driving + parking (estimate): AAA avg variable cost + typical NYC street/garage parking.
Local job market
—
No current paid openings on Bespree
Public-sector pay signals
—
No current imported salary signals for this role
BLS estimates 138,940 security guards employed in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA area, or 2.6 per 1,000 jobs. (BLS OEWS May 2024)
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Data source: Wage data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, BLS OEWS May 2024. Job outlook data is from the BLS Employment Projections program (BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034). BLS data is in the public domain. Occupation profile content summarized from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Skills and knowledge data from O*NET OnLine, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Bespree has selected and summarized a subset of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Tools & technology listed are representative examples compiled by Bespree. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after retrieval. Wage figures are estimates and do not constitute a guarantee of earnings. Actual pay depends on employer, experience, certifications, and hours worked. Weekly and monthly earnings shown assume a 40-hour work week and are pre-tax estimates. Commute cost figures are directional estimates based on published transit fares and AAA average variable driving cost data; actual commute costs vary.