Security Guards Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$36,010
- 25th Percentile — Junior$37,180
- 50th Percentile — Median$43,240
- 75th Percentile — Senior$46,760
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$57,880
Half of Security Guards in California earn more than $43,240. The top 10% make $57,880 or more, while entry-level workers start around $36,010.
Security Guards in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 15th of 51 states for Security Guards pay, at $44,920 per year (5.8% above the U.S. average of $42,470).
- 199,480 people work as Security Guards in California — 15.5% of all U.S. Security Guards jobs.
- Location quotient 1.33: Security Guards jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $36,010; the top 10% earn over $57,880.
- Hourly equivalent: $21.6 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $60,720.
- Among public safety jobs in California, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($163,210).
Security Guards Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Security Guards here earn $44,920 on average, placing the state 15th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $44,920 is roughly equivalent to $31,634 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Minnesota ($45,460), Connecticut ($45,180), Missouri ($45,100) are the closest alternatives for Security Guards weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Public Safety Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $163,210/yr California +263.3% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $151,620/yr California +237.5% vs this role
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators $121,530/yr California +170.5% vs this role
- Police Officers $112,980/yr California +151.5% vs this role
- Firefighters $95,090/yr California +111.7% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $92,410/yr California +105.7% vs this role
- Private Detectives and Investigators $67,040/yr California +49.2% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Security Guards salary in California?
The average Security Guards salary in California is $44,920 per year (median $43,240), which is 5.8% above the national average of $42,470.
How does California rank for Security Guards pay?
California ranks 15th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($60,720/yr).
How much do entry-level Security Guards make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Security Guards in California earn about $36,010 per year and the 25th percentile is $37,180.
How much do Security Guards make per hour in California?
About $21.6 per hour, based on the $44,920 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Security Guards work in California?
BLS counts 199,480 Security Guards jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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