Security Guards Pay Range in District of Columbia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$36,600
- 25th Percentile — Junior$45,510
- 50th Percentile — Median$64,210
- 75th Percentile — Senior$74,200
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$78,910
Half of Security Guards in District of Columbia earn more than $64,210. The top 10% make $78,910 or more, while entry-level workers start around $36,600.
Security Guards in District of Columbia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- District of Columbia ranks 1st of 51 states for Security Guards pay, at $60,720 per year (43.0% above the U.S. average of $42,470).
- 15,880 people work as Security Guards in District of Columbia — 1.2% of all U.S. Security Guards jobs.
- Location quotient 2.74: Security Guards jobs are more concentrated in District of Columbia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $36,600; the top 10% earn over $78,910.
- Hourly equivalent: $29.19 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- Among public safety jobs in District of Columbia, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($148,210).
Security Guards Job Market in District of Columbia
Key factors affecting compensation
District of Columbia's key industries are Government, Finance, Technology, and its job market is rated very strong. Security Guards here earn $60,720 on average, placing the state 1st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.52 (U.S. = 1.00), a District of Columbia salary of $60,720 is roughly equivalent to $39,947 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Alaska ($54,140), Vermont ($50,770), Washington ($50,770) 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 District of Columbia
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $148,210/yr District of Columbia +144.1% vs this role
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators $148,110/yr District of Columbia +143.9% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $126,450/yr District of Columbia +108.3% vs this role
- Police Officers $92,390/yr District of Columbia +52.2% vs this role
- Private Detectives and Investigators $88,260/yr District of Columbia +45.4% vs this role
- Firefighters $79,550/yr District of Columbia +31.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Security Guards salary in District of Columbia?
The average Security Guards salary in District of Columbia is $60,720 per year (median $64,210), which is 43.0% above the national average of $42,470.
How does District of Columbia rank for Security Guards pay?
District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($60,720/yr).
How much do entry-level Security Guards make in District of Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Security Guards in District of Columbia earn about $36,600 per year and the 25th percentile is $45,510.
How much do Security Guards make per hour in District of Columbia?
About $29.19 per hour, based on the $60,720 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Security Guards work in District of Columbia?
BLS counts 15,880 Security Guards jobs in District of Columbia (OEWS May 2025).
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