Security Guard salary in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
Security Guards in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area earn a median of $46,820 a year ($22.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,110 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,020 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 3% higher than the Oregon statewide median of $45,500. There are 7.5 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $47,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,360 | $18.44 |
| 25th percentile | $43,610 | $20.97 |
| Median | $46,820 | $22.51 |
| 75th percentile | $49,070 | $23.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,020 | $28.85 |
| Average (mean) | $47,960 | $23.06 |
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 | $3,901.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,950.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,800.77 |
| Weekly | $900.38 |
| Hourly | $22.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $46,820 salary, see how much house you can afford in Oregon 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $54,670 | 500 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $48,770 | 60 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $47,490 | 17,030 |
| Salem, OR | $46,150 | 1,030 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $46,090 | 220 |
| Corvallis, OR | $45,980 | 160 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $45,540 | 590 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $45,370 | 140 |
| Bellingham, WA | $44,310 | 380 |
| Medford, OR | $44,250 | 310 |
| Albany, OR | $44,050 | 90 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $43,920 | 840 |
| Bend, OR | $43,790 | 350 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $41,310 | 2,270 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $40,860 | 190 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $39,750 | 730 |
| Yakima, WA | $37,440 | 400 |
| Grants Pass, OR | $37,030 | 120 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $36,650 | 80 |
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 Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $47,570 | $22.87 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $36,350 | $17.48 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $45,770 | $22.01 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $78,330 | $37.66 |
| School Bus Monitor | $41,490 | $19.95 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $97,200 | $46.73 |
| Firefighter | $85,170 | $40.95 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $84,640 | $40.69 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $61,560 | $29.60 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $128,500 | $61.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $105,890 | $50.91 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $119,350 | $57.38 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $110,510 | $53.13 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $75,630 | $36.36 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
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 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
The median salary for security guards in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area is $46,820 a year, or $22.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
The top 10% of security guards in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area earn at least $60,020 a year. The top 25% earn $49,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,360 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $43,610 or less.
How many security guards work in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
About 9,110 security guards are employed in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.