Salary of a Security Guard
Security guards work for various companies, banks, hospitals, schools and government offices. Some security guards work in the gaming industry for casino companies. Security guards typically patrol both the insides and outsides of buildings, looking for suspicious or illicit activity. Security guards are also responsible for protecting buildings and people from fires, vandalism, theft and personal injury. Most security guards are paid by the hour. However, security guards can also earn bonuses and overtime pay.
Other People Are Reading
-
Average Salary
-
Security guards earn median annual wages of $23,460 per year, according to May 2008 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Comparably, January 2011 data from PayScale.com lists the average annual salary range for a security guard at $9,01 to $11.98 per hour; or $18,741 to $24,918 per year, based on a 40-hour work week. Including bonuses and overtime pay, a security guard can earn an average of $19,225 to $27,569 per year.
Years of Experience
-
Security guards can earn higher wages as they gain experience. For example, the average annual salary range for a security guard with less than one year of experience is $12,208 to $30,252, reports PayScale.com. A security guard with one to four years of experience earns a salary between $18,311 and $32,460 annually. Once a security guard has five to nine years of experience, he can earn a salary between $21,192 and $40,529 per year. Comparatively, security guards with 10 to 19 years of experience earn annual salaries between $24,783 and $37,834. After 20 or more years, security guards can earn salaries of $25,434 to $58,742 per year.
-
Salary by Industry
-
A security guard can expect to earn more in certain industries than others. For example, security guards earn salaries of $21,400 to $40,000 per year as of 2011 when employed in security guard services, according to PayScale.com. Security guards who work in prisons or correctional facilities earn annual salaries between $29,300 and $37,834. The annual salary ranges for security guards in three other industries: military/armed forces - $27,087 to $37,472; school districts - $20,170 to $30,369; hospitals - $24,502 to $31,538.
Salary by State
-
Security guards also earn more in certain states. For example, a security guard can expect to make the highest annual salary range in New Jersey at $24,762 to $40,695, per PayScale.com. Florida is close behind with a range of $19,743 to $40,000. Security guards can also earn significantly higher salaries in New York at $23,425 to $39,000. In California security guards earn annual salaries of $19,653 to $39,725 per year.
-
