Security Guard salary in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
Security Guards in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area earn a median of $36,010 a year ($17.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 12,200 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,700 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is about the same as the Florida statewide median of $35,900. There are 8.4 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,800 | $13.84 |
| 25th percentile | $33,510 | $16.11 |
| Median | $36,010 | $17.31 |
| 75th percentile | $42,410 | $20.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,700 | $22.93 |
| Average (mean) | $38,060 | $18.30 |
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 | $3,000.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,500.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,385 |
| Weekly | $692.50 |
| Hourly | $17.31 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,010 salary, see how much house you can afford in Florida 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | $39,450 | 1,040 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $37,140 | 520 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $37,040 | 2,590 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL | $36,900 | 350 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $36,100 | 220 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $36,040 | 41,530 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $35,650 | 1,430 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $35,500 | 14,870 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $35,340 | 7,430 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $35,250 | 980 |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $35,170 | 150 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | $35,060 | 450 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $34,950 | 1,250 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $34,690 | 2,330 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $34,550 | 1,340 |
| Ocala, FL | $34,330 | 390 |
| Wildwood-The Villages, FL | $34,120 | 140 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $34,100 | 1,330 |
| Gainesville, FL | $33,950 | 770 |
| Tallahassee, FL | $33,930 | 830 |
| Sebring, FL | $32,610 | 130 |
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 Florida statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,780 | $17.20 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $51,390 | $24.71 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $31,720 | $15.25 |
| School Bus Monitor | $32,330 | $15.54 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| Animal Control Worker | $45,860 | $22.05 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $75,710 | $36.40 |
| Firefighter | $59,660 | $28.68 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $65,340 | $31.41 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $92,420 | $44.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $114,400 | $55.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $95,670 | $46.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $45,950 | $22.09 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
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 Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL?
The median salary for security guards in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area is $36,010 a year, or $17.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL?
The top 10% of security guards in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area earn at least $47,700 a year. The top 25% earn $42,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,800 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $33,510 or less.
How many security guards work in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL?
About 12,200 security guards are employed in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area, not counting the self-employed.