Security Guards Pay Range in Washington
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$37,720
- 25th Percentile — Junior$42,030
- 50th Percentile — Median$47,100
- 75th Percentile — Senior$56,990
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$68,390
Half of Security Guards in Washington earn more than $47,100. The top 10% make $68,390 or more, while entry-level workers start around $37,720.
Security Guards in Washington: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Washington ranks 4th of 51 states for Security Guards pay, at $50,770 per year (19.5% above the U.S. average of $42,470).
- 25,800 people work as Security Guards in Washington — 2.0% of all U.S. Security Guards jobs.
- Location quotient 0.88: Security Guards jobs are less concentrated in Washington than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $37,720; the top 10% earn over $68,390.
- Hourly equivalent: $24.41 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $60,720.
- Among public safety jobs in Washington, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($142,670).
Security Guards Job Market in Washington
Key factors affecting compensation
Washington's key industries are Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Security Guards here earn $50,770 on average, placing the state 4th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.25 (U.S. = 1.00), a Washington salary of $50,770 is roughly equivalent to $40,616 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, District of Columbia ($60,720), Alaska ($54,140), Vermont ($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 Washington
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $142,670/yr Washington +181.0% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $124,010/yr Washington +144.3% vs this role
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators $118,040/yr Washington +132.5% vs this role
- Police Officers $104,140/yr Washington +105.1% vs this role
- Firefighters $89,200/yr Washington +75.7% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $78,150/yr Washington +53.9% vs this role
- Private Detectives and Investigators $71,020/yr Washington +39.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Security Guards salary in Washington?
The average Security Guards salary in Washington is $50,770 per year (median $47,100), which is 19.5% above the national average of $42,470.
How does Washington rank for Security Guards pay?
Washington ranks 4th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($60,720/yr).
How much do entry-level Security Guards make in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% of Security Guards in Washington earn about $37,720 per year and the 25th percentile is $42,030.
How much do Security Guards make per hour in Washington?
About $24.41 per hour, based on the $50,770 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Security Guards work in Washington?
BLS counts 25,800 Security Guards jobs in Washington (OEWS May 2025).
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