Security Guard salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Security Guards in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area earn a median of $37,450 a year ($18.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 25,460 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,970 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 1% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $37,050. There are 8.8 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $42,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,330 | $15.06 |
| 25th percentile | $35,990 | $17.30 |
| Median | $37,450 | $18.00 |
| 75th percentile | $45,640 | $21.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,970 | $27.87 |
| Average (mean) | $42,180 | $20.28 |
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 | $3,120.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,560.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,440.38 |
| Weekly | $720.19 |
| Hourly | $18.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,450 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $46,830 | 40,950 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $44,880 | 380 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $43,980 | 142,760 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $42,130 | 210 |
| Vineland, NJ | $40,260 | 390 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $39,900 | 2,870 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $39,500 | 130 |
| Reading, PA | $38,960 | 1,050 |
| Lancaster, PA | $38,090 | 880 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $37,880 | 2,320 |
| Lebanon, PA | $37,470 | 130 |
| Salisbury, MD | $37,180 | 240 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $36,970 | 16,020 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $36,020 | 2,570 |
| Altoona, PA | $35,900 | 230 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $35,850 | 9,250 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $35,660 | 830 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $35,160 | 2,070 |
| Dover, DE | $35,100 | 240 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $34,980 | 3,110 |
| Erie, PA | $34,530 | 840 |
| Williamsport, PA | $34,440 | 510 |
| State College, PA | $34,290 | 280 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $33,990 | 760 |
| Johnstown, PA | $31,320 | 260 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $32,220 | $15.49 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $35,060 | $16.86 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,620 | $16.65 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $67,330 | $32.37 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $53,680 | $25.81 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $45,490 | $21.87 |
| Animal Control Worker | $56,640 | $27.23 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $89,580 | $43.07 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $67,200 | $32.31 |
| Firefighter | $78,050 | $37.53 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $119,540 | $57.47 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $97,580 | $46.91 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $48,650 | $23.39 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
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 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
The median salary for security guards in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area is $37,450 a year, or $18.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
The top 10% of security guards in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area earn at least $57,970 a year. The top 25% earn $45,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,330 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $35,990 or less.
How many security guards work in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
About 25,460 security guards are employed in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area, not counting the self-employed.