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Unarmed security guard salary
Average unarmed security guard salary
$15.84
Understanding Unarmed Security Guard Salaries
The average unarmed security guard salary in the United States is $32,946 per year, which equates to about $16 per hour. However, this figure can vary based on several factors including state location, years of experience, and specific job duties.
Salary by State
In certain states, unarmed security guards can earn significantly more than the national average. For instance, states like California and New York offer higher pay rates due to increased demand and cost of living considerations. Understanding where to work can be crucial for maximizing your earnings.
Impact of Experience
Experience also plays a critical role. Entry-level positions might start at around $15 an hour, but as guards gain experience, their pay can increase substantially. Security professionals with several years in the field often earn upwards of $40,000 annually.
For those looking to enhance their career prospects, gaining certifications or specialized training can lead to higher-paying positions in management or specialized security roles.
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Where can an Unarmed Security Guard earn more?
Unarmed security guard salaries by experience level
Unarmed security guard salary estimates from across the web
Average unarmed security guard salary by state
The average unarmed security guard salary in Alaska, Minnesota, and North Dakota are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average unarmed security guard salary states are West Virginia, Florida, and South Carolina.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for unarmed security guards
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $48,161 | $23.15 |
| 2 | Minnesota | $42,300 | $20.34 |
| 3 | Washington | $40,351 | $19.40 |
| 4 | Rhode Island | $36,744 | $17.67 |
| 5 | Nevada | $37,536 | $18.05 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $39,208 | $18.85 |
| 7 | New York | $37,048 | $17.81 |
| 8 | California | $40,734 | $19.58 |
| 9 | Oregon | $38,621 | $18.57 |
| 10 | North Dakota | $41,852 | $20.12 |
| 11 | Nebraska | $34,937 | $16.80 |
| 12 | Arizona | $33,471 | $16.09 |
| 13 | Wyoming | $34,360 | $16.52 |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | $31,544 | $15.17 |
| 15 | Massachusetts | $34,786 | $16.72 |
| 16 | Vermont | $34,470 | $16.57 |
| 17 | Utah | $35,227 | $16.94 |
| 18 | Michigan | $33,242 | $15.98 |
| 19 | Hawaii | $34,812 | $16.74 |
| 20 | Illinois | $30,554 | $14.69 |
| 21 | New Jersey | $31,858 | $15.32 |
| 22 | Missouri | $30,493 | $14.66 |
| 23 | Colorado | $34,397 | $16.54 |
| 24 | District of Columbia | $37,507 | $18.03 |
| 25 | Wisconsin | $30,921 | $14.87 |
| 26 | South Dakota | $32,583 | $15.66 |
| 27 | Kansas | $31,613 | $15.20 |
| 28 | Maine | $31,963 | $15.37 |
| 29 | Ohio | $28,150 | $13.53 |
| 30 | Montana | $29,945 | $14.40 |
| 31 | Virginia | $33,074 | $15.90 |
| 32 | New Hampshire | $29,533 | $14.20 |
| 33 | North Carolina | $28,016 | $13.47 |
| 34 | New Mexico | $29,917 | $14.38 |
| 35 | Indiana | $28,220 | $13.57 |
| 36 | Idaho | $30,776 | $14.80 |
| 37 | Maryland | $31,939 | $15.36 |
| 38 | Delaware | $26,699 | $12.84 |
| 39 | Kentucky | $27,169 | $13.06 |
| 40 | Tennessee | $26,864 | $12.92 |
| 41 | Georgia | $26,985 | $12.97 |
| 42 | Oklahoma | $27,652 | $13.29 |
| 43 | Texas | $26,730 | $12.85 |
| 44 | Iowa | $26,551 | $12.76 |
| 45 | Mississippi | $22,642 | $10.89 |
| 46 | Alabama | $23,186 | $11.15 |
| 47 | Florida | $24,859 | $11.95 |
| 48 | Arkansas | $26,017 | $12.51 |
| 49 | West Virginia | $24,971 | $12.01 |
| 50 | Louisiana | $24,059 | $11.57 |
| 51 | South Carolina | $24,488 | $11.77 |
Highest paying cities for unarmed security guards
The highest-paying cities for unarmed security guards are San Francisco, CA, Saint Cloud, MN, and Spokane, WA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $42,797 | $20.58 |
| 2 | Saint Cloud, MN | $42,527 | $20.45 |
| 3 | Spokane, WA | $39,568 | $19.02 |
| 4 | Portland, OR | $38,486 | $18.50 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $37,511 | $18.03 |
| 6 | Las Vegas, NV | $37,283 | $17.92 |
| 7 | Rochester, NY | $37,198 | $17.88 |
| 8 | Omaha, NE | $34,894 | $16.78 |
| 9 | Boston, MA | $34,788 | $16.73 |
| 10 | Denver, CO | $34,422 | $16.55 |
| 11 | Phoenix, AZ | $33,627 | $16.17 |
| 12 | Detroit, MI | $33,242 | $15.98 |
| 13 | Norfolk, VA | $32,734 | $15.74 |
| 14 | Sioux Falls, SD | $32,402 | $15.58 |
| 15 | Baltimore, MD | $32,183 | $15.47 |
| 16 | Kansas City, MO | $30,876 | $14.84 |
| 17 | Chicago, IL | $30,674 | $14.75 |
| 18 | Pittsburgh, PA | $30,394 | $14.61 |
| 19 | Akron, OH | $28,869 | $13.88 |
| 20 | El Paso, TX | $28,732 | $13.81 |
Unarmed security guard salary details
An unarmed security guard's salary ranges from $23,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $45,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an unarmed security guard's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $45,000 | $3,750 | $22 |
| 75th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
| Average | $32,946 | $2,746 | $16 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $23,000 | $1,917 | $11 |
Highest paying unarmed security guard jobs
The highest paying types of unarmed security guards are head of security, non-commissioned officer, and officer.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Officer | $52,506 | $4,376 | $25.24 | 114,267 |
| Protective Officer | $40,529 | $3,377 | $19.49 | 103,885 |
| Petty Officer | $39,336 | $3,278 | $18.91 | 69,776 |
| Non-Commissioned Officer | $104,839 | $8,737 | $50.40 | 69,414 |
| Security/Customer Service | $32,115 | $2,676 | $15.44 | 224,564 |
| Security Patrol Officer | $31,673 | $2,639 | $15.23 | 131,574 |
Top companies hiring unarmed security guards now:
Which companies pay unarmed security guards the most?
Unarmed security guard salaries at Inter-Con Security Systems and American Services are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average unarmed security guard salary at companies like Lincoln Holdings LLC and Private Sector Security are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Inter-Con Security Systems | $46,061 | $22.14 |
| 2 | American Services | $46,026 | $22.13 |
| 3 | Lincoln Holdings LLC | $38,798 | $18.65 |
| 4 | Private Sector Security | $38,085 | $18.31 |
| 5 | PPL | $36,354 | $17.48 |
| 6 | Max's Group | $36,171 | $17.39 |
| 7 | Strata | $35,911 | $17.26 |
| 8 | guardian security systems | $34,725 | $16.69 |
| 9 | United Security Agency | $34,563 | $16.62 |
| 10 | The Eagle | $34,554 | $16.61 |
| 11 | Alliance Co | $33,827 | $16.26 |
| 12 | Cherokee Nation Businesses | $32,703 | $15.72 |
| 13 | Nes Holdings | $32,647 | $15.70 |
| 14 | SMS group | $32,584 | $15.67 |
| 15 | Obsidian Solutions Group | $32,563 | $15.66 |
| 16 | Sanford Health | $32,416 | $15.58 |
| 17 | Stark | $32,351 | $15.55 |
| 18 | NANA | $32,286 | $15.52 |
| 19 | Securitas Electronic Security | $32,042 | $15.40 |
| 20 | Chenega | $31,975 | $15.37 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Unarmed security guard salary trends
The average unarmed security guard salary has risen by $7,586 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average unarmed security guard earned $25,360 annually, but today, they earn $32,946 a year. That works out to a 20% change in pay for unarmed security guards over the last decade.
Compare unarmed security guard salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average unarmed security guard salary over time
Compare unarmed security guard salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Unarmed security guard salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $32,900 | $15.84 | +4.4% |
| 2024 | $31,500 | $15.14 | +4.0% |
| 2023 | $30,200 | $14.53 | +5.6% |
| 2022 | $28,500 | $13.72 | +4.2% |
| 2021 | $27,300 | $13.15 | +4.4% |
Recently added unarmed security guard salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier Security | Temporary Unarmed Security Guards Wanted | Irving, TX | 06/29/2025 | $35,479 |
| Security Services Northwest Inc. | Unarmed Guard-Snohomish County | Tukwila, WA | 06/29/2025 | $50,088 |
| Job Listingsallied Universal | Unarmed Security Guard Transit | Denver, CO | 06/29/2025 | $48,439 |
| St. Moritz Security Service | Unarmed Security Guard | Stow, OH | 06/28/2025 | $33,392 |
| Allied Universal Security | HOA Security Guard-Unarmed | Glendale, AZ | 06/27/2025 | $37,566 |
| Allied Universal Security | Security Guard-Unarmed Logistics Patrol | Tampa, FL | 06/27/2025 | $42,721 |
| Allied Universal | HOA Security Guard-Unarmed | Glendale, CA | 06/27/2025 | $37,566 |
| Inner Parish Security Corporation | Unarmed Security Guard-James Island/Folly Road Area (Security) | Charleston, SC | 06/27/2025 | $33,392 |
| Inner Parish Security Corporation | Temporary Licensed Unarmed Security Guard-Parking Lot Patrol (Security) | Albuquerque, NM | 06/27/2025 | $37,566 |
| Inner Parish Security Corporation | Unarmed Security Guard | Jackson, MS | 06/27/2025 | $27,131 |
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