Security Guard salary in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
Security Guards in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area earn a median of $36,020 a year ($17.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,570 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,500 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 3% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $37,050. There are 6.8 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $39,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,850 | $14.83 |
| 25th percentile | $35,190 | $16.92 |
| Median | $36,020 | $17.32 |
| 75th percentile | $44,390 | $21.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,500 | $23.80 |
| Average (mean) | $39,900 | $19.18 |
Half of security guards earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,001.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,500.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,385.38 |
| Weekly | $692.69 |
| Hourly | $17.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Security Guard salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $43,980 | 142,760 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $42,130 | 210 |
| Vineland, NJ | $40,260 | 390 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $39,900 | 2,870 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $39,500 | 130 |
| Reading, PA | $38,960 | 1,050 |
| Lancaster, PA | $38,090 | 880 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $37,880 | 2,320 |
| Lebanon, PA | $37,470 | 130 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $37,450 | 25,460 |
| Altoona, PA | $35,900 | 230 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $35,850 | 9,250 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $35,660 | 830 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $35,160 | 2,070 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $34,980 | 3,110 |
| Erie, PA | $34,530 | 840 |
| Williamsport, PA | $34,440 | 510 |
| State College, PA | $34,290 | 280 |
| Johnstown, PA | $31,320 | 260 |
Highest-paying states for security guards
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $64,210 |
| Alaska | $47,480 |
| Washington | $47,100 |
| Vermont | $45,550 |
| Oregon | $45,500 |
| New Hampshire | $45,200 |
| Colorado | $45,150 |
| Massachusetts | $44,670 |
| New York | $44,240 |
| Virginia | $43,640 |
See Security Guard pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $36,120 | $17.37 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $38,450 | $18.49 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,610 | $14.72 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,610 | $17.60 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $50,710 | $24.38 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $79,210 | $38.08 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $84,530 | $40.64 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $51,990 | $24.99 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $102,070 | $49.07 |
| Firefighter | $73,020 | $35.11 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $94,800 | $45.58 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $59,880 | $28.79 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $79,670 | $38.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $63,830 | $30.69 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-9032. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?
The median salary for security guards in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area is $36,020 a year, or $17.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?
The top 10% of security guards in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area earn at least $49,500 a year. The top 25% earn $44,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,850 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $35,190 or less.
How many security guards work in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?
About 2,570 security guards are employed in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area, not counting the self-employed.