A Security Officer Salary Guide for Employers in 2024
Wondering how much security officers make in your state and across the US? Our guide covers each state's hourly rates and security officer salary ranges.
If you’re looking to make more as a security officer, head to Washington — guards earn nearly $39,000 on average. By contrast, wages in some states, like West Virginia, are closer to $25,000.
However, wages are rising in places like Memphis, too, so it’s more important than ever for employers to understand regional pay trends to stay competitive.
Read on to learn more:
- Salary comparisons across states and cities
- Key factors that influence security guard wages
- Tips for setting competitive salaries
- How technology, like Belfry, can simplify scheduling and retention
Let’s start by looking at the average national security officer salary.
National average security officer salary
According to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual security officer salary in the United States is $40,440 — an average hourly wage of $19.44.
Of course, not every officer makes the same, so let’s explore how much security officers get paid per hour:
Average security guard salary by state (Source: Talent.com)
Here’s how national averages translate to your specific location:
Average security guard salary by city
Sometimes, you need to drill down to the city level and go beyond national and state averages. Here, we'll unpack security officer salary data for major cities and metropolitan areas across the US.
Let’s get started with major metropolitan areas:
Major metropolitan areas
Top paying cities based on average hourly wage
Note: While we can't cover every single city, we've pulled together information for those with the clearest salary data available.
Factors influencing security guard salaries
Knowing the national averages is a good first step, but several key factors significantly impact what salary a officer can earn.
Here's a breakdown of the biggest influences on security officer salaries:
1. Geographic location
Salaries tend to be higher in areas with a higher cost of living. Cities like New York or San Francisco will require more competitive wages to attract and retain qualified officers compared to rural areas.
If there's a high demand for security officers in your area, you might need to offer more to compete for talent.
2. Experience level
Security officers with more experience are likely to command higher salaries. They bring valuable skills and knowledge to the table, making them more reliable and efficient.
Officers who invest in additional training or certifications (e.g., first aid, CPR, crowd control) become more valuable assets and can expect a bump in pay. These are also factors you should keep in mind during the hiring process.
3. Industry and risk level
Security officers working in high-risk environments typically receive higher wages. Think of places like banks, government buildings, or construction sites. This reflects the increased pressure and potential danger associated with the role.
Security officers in lower-risk environments, such as retail stores or residential communities, generally earn less.
4. Armed vs. unarmed
Security officers who are licensed to carry a firearm typically earn a higher salary compared to unarmed officers. This reflects the additional training and responsibility involved, plus the likelihood of it working in a high-risk area.
Pro tip: If you’d like to learn more about what other costs go into starting a security company apart from salaries.
Understanding pay regulations
Keeping your security officers happy and motivated goes beyond offering a competitive salary. It also means complying with all federal and state labor laws.
Here's a breakdown of two crucial regulations that every security company owner needs to understand:
Minimum wage compliance
- Federal vs. state vs. local: The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets a federal minimum wage, yet some states and some localities have their minimum wage laws that may be higher. You're always obligated to pay the higher of the two rates.
- Know your rates: Familiarize yourself with both federal and state minimum wage laws. Resources like the Department of Labor website offer a searchable database to find the minimum wage applicable to your location.
- Recordkeeping is key: Maintain accurate records of officer hours worked to ensure proper minimum wage compliance.
Overtime rules
- The FLSA overtime threshold: Under FLSA regulations, most employees who work more than 40 hours in a work week (7 consecutive days), must be paid overtime at a rate of one and a half times their regular pay rate.
- Different states have specific overtime laws, which may provide additional protections or have thresholds different from the federal FLSA standards. It's important to check state-specific regulations to ensure compliance.
Consult the DOL website or an employment lawyer for detailed information on overtime exemptions for security officers in your state.
Pro tip: You should consider a tool like Belfry to automatically track guard hours and avoid accidental overtime assignments. Our scheduling interface prioritizes assigning officers who live nearby and are not at risk of working overtime, saving you money and the extra effort of planning.
By automating scheduling and providing real-time data, Belfry empowers you to manage your workforce efficiently and tighten your margins.
Tips for setting competitive salaries
Now that you know the national averages and the factors influencing security officer salaries, let’s translate that into competitive salary packages. This is key to attract and retain the best officers.
Here are some of our best tips:
- Know your market: Use salary surveys and resources provided by HR companies, security industry associations, and government agencies. These resources offer insights into current salary trends for security officers in your location and industry.
- Get specific: Go beyond national averages. Look for data that breaks down salaries by experience level, guard type (armed/unarmed), and specific job duties. This allows you to tailor your offers to the unique value each officer brings.
- Consider competitors: Research what your competitors are offering. You don't necessarily need to outbid everyone, but staying in the same ballpark is crucial to attracting qualified candidates who have options.
- Additional rewards: Benefits packages can sweeten the pot, especially when salary negotiations are tight. Consider offering health insurance plans, paid time off (including sick leave and vacation days), retirement savings plans, or even educational programs.
Keep security guard salary costs under control with Belfry
High turnover is a drain on any security company. It costs time and money and can leave your clients vulnerable. You can combat that by creating a work environment that attracts top talent and keeps them happy.
Belfry is an all-in-one security management platform specifically designed to help you handle everything from automated scheduling and payroll to real-time officer tracking and compliance.
Here's how Belfry can help you retain your top talent and save money in the long run:
- Efficient scheduling and payroll management: Belfry’s smart scheduling tools reduce gaps, prevent unplanned overtime, and give your team a clear view of shifts — all without the hassle.
With Belfry and its built-in payroll feature that includes tax filings and compliance, managing security officer salaries and tracking accurate payroll is simpler and faster.
- Empower your officers and boost retention: Belfry’s mobile app puts schedules, timesheets, reports, and incident management in the hands of your officers. This real-time connection strengthens communication and results in happier employees.
- Strengthen client relationships: With Belfry’s client portal, clients can access real-time reports and connect directly with your officers, making your services project transparent and trustworthy.