Security Guard salary in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI
Security Guards in the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area earn a median of $36,090 a year ($17.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 900 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $53,590 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 1% lower than the Indiana statewide median of $36,490. There are 6.8 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,950 | $14.40 |
| 25th percentile | $34,160 | $16.42 |
| Median | $36,090 | $17.35 |
| 75th percentile | $39,320 | $18.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $53,590 | $25.76 |
| Average (mean) | $38,840 | $18.67 |
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 | $3,007.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,503.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,388.08 |
| Weekly | $694.04 |
| Hourly | $17.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,090 salary, see how much house you can afford in Indiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kokomo, IN | $44,080 | 110 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $42,100 | 630 |
| Midland, MI | $40,880 | 120 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $40,810 | 3,100 |
| Saginaw, MI | $40,730 | 210 |
| Traverse City, MI | $40,060 | 180 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $39,990 | 48,360 |
| Jackson, MI | $38,750 | 170 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $38,370 | 120 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $38,210 | 550 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $37,340 | 470 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $37,200 | 280 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $37,050 | 12,570 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $36,510 | 590 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $36,490 | 9,910 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $36,420 | 5,000 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $36,230 | 570 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $36,110 | 7,970 |
| Niles, MI | $35,690 | 740 |
| Bloomington, IN | $35,510 | 600 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $35,140 | 1,240 |
| Flint, MI | $34,930 | 2,060 |
| Columbus, IN | $34,630 | 250 |
| Evansville, IN | $34,010 | 590 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $33,550 | 330 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $32,870 | 120 |
| Muncie, IN | $32,520 | 120 |
| Bay City, MI | $29,820 | 70 |
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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,500 | $14.18 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $52,990 | $25.47 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $43,010 | $20.68 |
| School Bus Monitor | $29,910 | $14.38 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $77,070 | $37.05 |
| Firefighter | $56,450 | $27.14 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $56,390 | $27.11 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $82,450 | $39.64 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $78,200 | $37.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $73,600 | $35.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $47,130 | $22.66 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI
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 South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI?
The median salary for security guards in the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area is $36,090 a year, or $17.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $53,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI?
The top 10% of security guards in the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area earn at least $53,590 a year. The top 25% earn $39,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,950 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $34,160 or less.
How many security guards work in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI?
About 900 security guards are employed in the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.