Security Guards Pay Range in West Virginia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$20,800
- 25th Percentile — Junior$20,800
- 50th Percentile — Median$28,800
- 75th Percentile — Senior$35,990
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$47,370
Half of Security Guards in West Virginia earn more than $28,800. The top 10% make $47,370 or more, while entry-level workers start around $20,800.
Security Guards in West Virginia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- West Virginia ranks 51st of 51 states for Security Guards pay, at $31,320 per year (26.3% below the U.S. average of $42,470).
- 5,200 people work as Security Guards in West Virginia — 0.4% of all U.S. Security Guards jobs.
- Location quotient 0.90: Security Guards jobs are less concentrated in West Virginia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $20,800; the top 10% earn over $47,370.
- Hourly equivalent: $15.06 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $60,720.
- Among public safety jobs in West Virginia, Detectives and Criminal Investigators pays the most ($102,070).
Security Guards Job Market in West Virginia
Key factors affecting compensation
West Virginia's key industries are Energy, Healthcare, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated low. Security Guards here earn $31,320 on average, placing the state 51st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.78 (U.S. = 1.00), a West Virginia salary of $31,320 is roughly equivalent to $40,154 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, South Carolina ($37,060), Louisiana ($36,080), Alabama ($34,680) 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 West Virginia
Related career salary benchmarks
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators $102,070/yr West Virginia +225.9% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $75,730/yr West Virginia +141.8% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $56,670/yr West Virginia +80.9% vs this role
- Police Officers $55,900/yr West Virginia +78.5% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $54,400/yr West Virginia +73.7% vs this role
- Private Detectives and Investigators $49,600/yr West Virginia +58.4% vs this role
- Firefighters $40,100/yr West Virginia +28.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Security Guards salary in West Virginia?
The average Security Guards salary in West Virginia is $31,320 per year (median $28,800), which is 26.3% below the national average of $42,470.
How does West Virginia rank for Security Guards pay?
West Virginia ranks 51st out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($60,720/yr).
How much do entry-level Security Guards make in West Virginia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Security Guards in West Virginia earn about $20,800 per year and the 25th percentile is $20,800.
How much do Security Guards make per hour in West Virginia?
About $15.06 per hour, based on the $31,320 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Security Guards work in West Virginia?
BLS counts 5,200 Security Guards jobs in West Virginia (OEWS May 2025).
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