Security Guards Pay Range in New Jersey
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$32,230
- 25th Percentile — Junior$34,770
- 50th Percentile — Median$38,880
- 75th Percentile — Senior$48,120
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$60,420
Half of Security Guards in New Jersey earn more than $38,880. The top 10% make $60,420 or more, while entry-level workers start around $32,230.
Security Guards in New Jersey: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- New Jersey ranks 21st of 51 states for Security Guards pay, at $43,520 per year (2.5% above the U.S. average of $42,470).
- 41,540 people work as Security Guards in New Jersey — 3.2% of all U.S. Security Guards jobs.
- Location quotient 1.17: Security Guards jobs are more concentrated in New Jersey than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $32,230; the top 10% earn over $60,420.
- Hourly equivalent: $20.92 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $60,720.
- Among public safety jobs in New Jersey, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($145,430).
Security Guards Job Market in New Jersey
Key factors affecting compensation
New Jersey's key industries are Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Technology, and its job market is rated strong. Security Guards here earn $43,520 on average, placing the state 21st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.28 (U.S. = 1.00), a New Jersey salary of $43,520 is roughly equivalent to $34,000 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Maryland ($44,530), Illinois ($44,240), Idaho ($44,100) 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 New Jersey
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $145,430/yr New Jersey +234.2% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $137,140/yr New Jersey +215.1% vs this role
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators $116,540/yr New Jersey +167.8% vs this role
- Police Officers $93,700/yr New Jersey +115.3% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $87,780/yr New Jersey +101.7% vs this role
- Firefighters $85,810/yr New Jersey +97.2% vs this role
- Private Detectives and Investigators $66,160/yr New Jersey +52.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Security Guards salary in New Jersey?
The average Security Guards salary in New Jersey is $43,520 per year (median $38,880), which is 2.5% above the national average of $42,470.
How does New Jersey rank for Security Guards pay?
New Jersey ranks 21st out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($60,720/yr).
How much do entry-level Security Guards make in New Jersey?
The lowest-paid 10% of Security Guards in New Jersey earn about $32,230 per year and the 25th percentile is $34,770.
How much do Security Guards make per hour in New Jersey?
About $20.92 per hour, based on the $43,520 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Security Guards work in New Jersey?
BLS counts 41,540 Security Guards jobs in New Jersey (OEWS May 2025).
Related Salary Pages
Explore more salary data