Best cities for a security agent
The best cities for security agents are Oakland, CA, Seattle, WA, and Anaheim, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for security agents vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for security agents in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a security agent or considering a move, this list of the best cities for security agents to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for security agents. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a security agent. While the absolute best city for security agents is Oakland, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for security agents in 2024.
If you're looking for a security agent job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for security agents in 2026
1. Oakland, CA
Total security agent jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $49,312 Lowest 10 percent warn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $75,000 Location quotient: 6.29 2. Seattle, WA
Total security agent jobs: 29 Average annual salary: $50,299 Lowest 10 percent warn: $36,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $68,000 Location quotient: 4.13 3. Anaheim, CA
Total security agent jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $46,457 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $71,000 Location quotient: 7.12 4. Reno, NV
Total security agent jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $42,955 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $64,000 Location quotient: 3.19 5. San Francisco, CA
Total security agent jobs: 32 Average annual salary: $49,376 Lowest 10 percent warn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $75,000 Location quotient: 3.85 6. Scottsdale, AZ
Total security agent jobs: 9 Average annual salary: $36,518 Lowest 10 percent warn: $25,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $53,000 Location quotient: 10.40 7. Saint Paul, MN
Total security agent jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $43,148 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $54,000 Location quotient: 2.50 8. Portland, OR
Total security agent jobs: 11 Average annual salary: $39,074 Lowest 10 percent warn: $27,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $54,000 Location quotient: 3.88 9. Los Angeles, CA
Total security agent jobs: 25 Average annual salary: $46,907 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $71,000 Location quotient: 3.50 10. Las Vegas, NV
Total security agent jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $40,925 Lowest 10 percent warn: $27,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $60,000 Location quotient: 1.02
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Best cities for security agents
- Oakland, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Anaheim, CA
- Reno, NV
- San Francisco, CA
- Scottsdale, AZ
- Saint Paul, MN
- Portland, OR
- Los Angeles, CA
- Las Vegas, NV
- (5 security agent jobs)
- (29 security agent jobs)
- (3 security agent jobs)
- (2 security agent jobs)
- (32 security agent jobs)
- (9 security agent jobs)
- (4 security agent jobs)
- (11 security agent jobs)
- (25 security agent jobs)
- (2 security agent jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a security agent
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland, CA | $49,312 | $32,000 | 420,005 | 5 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $50,299 | $36,000 | 704,352 | 29 |
| 3 | Anaheim, CA | $46,457 | $30,000 | 351,043 | 3 |
| 4 | Reno, NV | $42,955 | $28,000 | 245,255 | 2 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $49,376 | $32,000 | 870,887 | 32 |
| 6 | Scottsdale, AZ | $36,518 | $25,000 | 246,645 | 9 |
| 7 | Saint Paul, MN | $43,148 | $34,000 | 302,398 | 4 |
| 8 | Portland, OR | $39,074 | $27,000 | 639,863 | 11 |
| 9 | Los Angeles, CA | $46,907 | $30,000 | 3,976,322 | 25 |
| 10 | Las Vegas, NV | $40,925 | $27,000 | 632,912 | 2 |
| 11 | Sacramento, CA | $48,769 | $31,000 | 495,234 | 5 |
| 12 | Tucson, AZ | $35,658 | $24,000 | 530,706 | 4 |
| 13 | North Las Vegas, NV | $40,772 | $27,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 14 | Wichita, KS | $32,085 | $25,000 | 389,902 | 13 |
| 15 | Minneapolis, MN | $43,148 | $34,000 | 413,651 | 3 |
| 16 | Henderson, NV | $40,632 | $27,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 17 | Virginia Beach, VA | $36,356 | $25,000 | 452,602 | 14 |
| 18 | Riverside, CA | $46,127 | $30,000 | 324,722 | 1 |
| 19 | Anchorage, AK | $50,011 | $41,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 20 | San Jose, CA | $49,312 | $32,000 | 1,025,350 | 5 |
| 21 | San Diego, CA | $45,204 | $29,000 | 1,406,630 | 11 |
| 22 | Columbus, OH | $30,225 | $22,000 | 860,090 | 16 |
| 23 | Pittsburgh, PA | $30,885 | $22,000 | 303,625 | 12 |
| 24 | Chandler, AZ | $36,330 | $24,000 | 247,477 | 1 |
| 25 | Fremont, CA | $49,290 | $32,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 26 | Stockton, CA | $48,954 | $31,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 27 | Milwaukee, WI | $31,766 | $24,000 | 595,047 | 5 |
| 28 | Fresno, CA | $48,685 | $31,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 29 | Bakersfield, CA | $47,947 | $31,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 30 | Long Beach, CA | $46,602 | $30,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 31 | Denver, CO | $35,020 | $27,000 | 693,060 | 27 |
| 32 | Santa Ana, CA | $46,367 | $30,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 33 | Phoenix, AZ | $36,672 | $25,000 | 1,615,017 | 5 |
| 34 | Irvine, CA | $46,252 | $30,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 35 | Omaha, NE | $35,551 | $28,000 | 446,970 | 1 |
| 36 | Colorado Springs, CO | $34,850 | $27,000 | 465,101 | 6 |
| 37 | Mesa, AZ | $36,262 | $24,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 38 | Gilbert, AZ | $36,251 | $24,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 39 | Philadelphia, PA | $32,956 | $22,000 | 1,567,872 | 6 |
| 40 | Glendale, AZ | $36,744 | $25,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 41 | Lincoln, NE | $35,373 | $28,000 | 280,364 | - |
| 42 | Chula Vista, CA | $45,042 | $29,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 43 | New York, NY | $39,874 | $27,000 | 8,537,673 | 22 |
| 44 | Saint Louis, MO | $30,887 | $24,000 | 311,404 | 10 |
| 45 | Brookhaven, NY | $40,034 | $27,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 46 | Islip, NY | $40,010 | $27,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 47 | Oyster Bay, NY | $39,971 | $27,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 48 | Hempstead, NY | $39,937 | $27,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 49 | Memphis, TN | $27,302 | $21,000 | 652,717 | 7 |
| 50 | Detroit, MI | $32,514 | $24,000 | 672,795 | - |
Highest paying cities for security agents
| Rank | City | Avg. security agent salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $50,299 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $49,376 |
| 3 | Bloomington, MN | $43,053 |
| 4 | Riverhead, NY | $40,050 |
| 5 | Portland, OR | $39,074 |
| 6 | Arlington, VA | $38,877 |
| 7 | Cambridge, MA | $37,324 |
| 8 | Phoenix, AZ | $36,672 |
| 9 | Salt Lake City, UT | $36,588 |
| 10 | Arvada, CO | $35,066 |
| 11 | Baltimore, MD | $34,762 |
| 12 | Olathe, KS | $32,252 |
| 13 | Chicago, IL | $32,240 |
| 14 | Grand Rapids, MI | $31,996 |
| 15 | Milwaukee, WI | $31,766 |
| 16 | Saint Louis, MO | $30,887 |
| 17 | Pittsburgh, PA | $30,885 |
| 18 | Columbus, OH | $30,225 |
| 19 | Indianapolis, IN | $28,759 |
| 20 | Georgetown, KY | $27,892 |
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Updated January 8, 2025