Security Guards Pay Range in Tennessee
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$29,310
- 25th Percentile — Junior$30,850
- 50th Percentile — Median$36,000
- 75th Percentile — Senior$40,620
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$51,680
Half of Security Guards in Tennessee earn more than $36,000. The top 10% make $51,680 or more, while entry-level workers start around $29,310.
Security Guards in Tennessee: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Tennessee ranks 43rd of 51 states for Security Guards pay, at $38,500 per year (9.3% below the U.S. average of $42,470).
- 27,690 people work as Security Guards in Tennessee — 2.2% of all U.S. Security Guards jobs.
- Location quotient 1.02: Security Guards jobs are more concentrated in Tennessee than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $29,310; the top 10% earn over $51,680.
- Hourly equivalent: $18.51 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $60,720.
- Among public safety jobs in Tennessee, Detectives and Criminal Investigators pays the most ($87,790).
Security Guards Job Market in Tennessee
Key factors affecting compensation
Tennessee's key industries are Healthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism, and its job market is rated strong. Security Guards here earn $38,500 on average, placing the state 43rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Tennessee salary of $38,500 is roughly equivalent to $43,750 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Oklahoma ($39,560), North Carolina ($39,090), Texas ($38,550) 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 Tennessee
Related career salary benchmarks
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators $87,790/yr Tennessee +128.0% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $79,340/yr Tennessee +106.1% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $75,780/yr Tennessee +96.8% vs this role
- Private Detectives and Investigators $63,810/yr Tennessee +65.7% vs this role
- Police Officers $61,830/yr Tennessee +60.6% vs this role
- Firefighters $51,590/yr Tennessee +34.0% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $51,420/yr Tennessee +33.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Security Guards salary in Tennessee?
The average Security Guards salary in Tennessee is $38,500 per year (median $36,000), which is 9.3% below the national average of $42,470.
How does Tennessee rank for Security Guards pay?
Tennessee ranks 43rd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($60,720/yr).
How much do entry-level Security Guards make in Tennessee?
The lowest-paid 10% of Security Guards in Tennessee earn about $29,310 per year and the 25th percentile is $30,850.
How much do Security Guards make per hour in Tennessee?
About $18.51 per hour, based on the $38,500 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Security Guards work in Tennessee?
BLS counts 27,690 Security Guards jobs in Tennessee (OEWS May 2025).
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