Security Guard salary in Altoona, PA
Security Guards in the Altoona, PA metro area earn a median of $35,900 a year ($17.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,300 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 3% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $37,050. There are 4.0 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.48). The average (mean) salary is $38,650, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Altoona, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,690 | $14.28 |
| 25th percentile | $29,690 | $14.28 |
| Median | $35,900 | $17.26 |
| 75th percentile | $40,280 | $19.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,300 | $27.55 |
| Average (mean) | $38,650 | $18.58 |
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 | $2,991.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,495.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,380.77 |
| Weekly | $690.38 |
| Hourly | $17.26 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chambersburg, PA | $42,130 | 210 |
| 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 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $36,020 | 2,570 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $35,850 | 9,250 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $35,660 | 830 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $35,160 | 2,070 |
| 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 Altoona, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $52,030 | $25.02 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $25,170 | $12.10 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $70,560 | $33.92 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $80,580 | $38.74 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Altoona, PA
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 Altoona, PA?
The median salary for security guards in the Altoona, PA metro area is $35,900 a year, or $17.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Altoona, PA?
The top 10% of security guards in the Altoona, PA metro area earn at least $57,300 a year. The top 25% earn $40,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Altoona, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,690 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $29,690 or less.
How many security guards work in Altoona, PA?
About 230 security guards are employed in the Altoona, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.