Security Guard salary in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
Security Guards in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn a median of $36,270 a year ($17.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 500 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,310 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 1% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $36,000. There are 4.2 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.50). The average (mean) salary is $38,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,410 | $13.66 |
| 25th percentile | $30,750 | $14.79 |
| Median | $36,270 | $17.44 |
| 75th percentile | $40,620 | $19.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $52,310 | $25.15 |
| Average (mean) | $38,870 | $18.69 |
Half of security guards earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,022.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,511.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,395 |
| Weekly | $697.50 |
| Hourly | $17.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,270 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Security Guard salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lynchburg, VA | $49,480 | 570 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $46,830 | 40,950 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $42,170 | 340 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $41,950 | 170 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $37,900 | 260 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $37,230 | 7,470 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $37,160 | 200 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $37,010 | 10,710 |
| Richmond, VA | $36,960 | 4,630 |
| Roanoke, VA | $36,900 | 1,300 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $36,780 | 400 |
| Jackson, TN | $35,960 | 460 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $35,900 | 340 |
| Knoxville, TN | $35,810 | 2,860 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $35,650 | 1,820 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $35,100 | 8,450 |
| Morristown, TN | $30,790 | 70 |
| Cleveland, TN | $30,680 | 100 |
| Johnson City, TN | $27,720 | 570 |
Highest-paying states for security guards
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $64,210 |
| Alaska | $47,480 |
| Washington | $47,100 |
| Vermont | $45,550 |
| Oregon | $45,500 |
| New Hampshire | $45,200 |
| Colorado | $45,150 |
| Massachusetts | $44,670 |
| New York | $44,240 |
| Virginia | $43,640 |
See Security Guard pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $26,840 | $12.91 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $32,760 | $15.75 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $43,490 | $20.91 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $48,620 | $23.38 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $48,440 | $23.29 |
| Firefighter | $44,110 | $21.21 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $74,970 | $36.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $62,500 | $30.05 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $84,660 | $40.70 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $64,740 | $31.13 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-9032. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The median salary for security guards in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area is $36,270 a year, or $17.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The top 10% of security guards in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn at least $52,310 a year. The top 25% earn $40,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,410 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $30,750 or less.
How many security guards work in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
About 500 security guards are employed in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.