Security Guard salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Security Guards in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $37,230 a year ($17.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,470 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,710 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 15% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $43,640. There are 9.8 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $42,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,830 | $14.82 |
| 25th percentile | $34,810 | $16.74 |
| Median | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| 75th percentile | $46,730 | $22.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,710 | $30.15 |
| Average (mean) | $42,280 | $20.33 |
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 | $3,102.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,551.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,431.92 |
| Weekly | $715.96 |
| Hourly | $17.90 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,230 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $42,940 | 710 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $42,170 | 340 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $41,950 | 170 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $38,530 | 1,570 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $37,900 | 260 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $37,160 | 200 |
| Richmond, VA | $36,960 | 4,630 |
| Wilmington, NC | $36,960 | 960 |
| Roanoke, VA | $36,900 | 1,300 |
| Asheville, NC | $36,820 | 700 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $36,810 | 120 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $36,780 | 400 |
| Greenville, NC | $36,730 | 220 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $36,270 | 500 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $36,040 | 1,290 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $35,010 | 12,020 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $34,680 | 4,780 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $33,430 | 2,820 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $32,480 | 280 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $31,860 | 550 |
| Burlington, NC | $31,370 | 160 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $31,070 | 170 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $30,730 | 110 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,890 | $13.41 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $34,940 | $16.80 |
| School Bus Monitor | $35,040 | $16.85 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $34,920 | $16.79 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $62,000 | $29.81 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $45,990 | $22.11 |
| Animal Control Worker | $45,030 | $21.65 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,690 | $28.70 |
| Firefighter | $56,940 | $27.38 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $49,900 | $23.99 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $87,530 | $42.08 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $97,200 | $46.73 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $93,790 | $45.09 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $59,990 | $28.84 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for security guards in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $37,230 a year, or $17.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of security guards in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $62,710 a year. The top 25% earn $46,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,830 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $34,810 or less.
How many security guards work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 7,470 security guards are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.