Security Guard salary in Ames, IA
Security Guards in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $37,430 a year ($17.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $53,260 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 1% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $37,080. There are 4.7 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.56). The average (mean) salary is $42,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,010 | $14.43 |
| 25th percentile | $35,580 | $17.11 |
| Median | $37,430 | $17.99 |
| 75th percentile | $48,020 | $23.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $53,260 | $25.61 |
| Average (mean) | $42,590 | $20.48 |
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 | $3,119.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,559.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,439.62 |
| Weekly | $719.81 |
| Hourly | $17.99 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $42,370 | 3,170 |
| Iowa City, IA | $39,540 | 270 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $38,670 | 380 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $38,480 | 350 |
| Dubuque, IA | $37,620 | 170 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $37,550 | 2,360 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $36,940 | 1,070 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $36,800 | 1,040 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $23,640 | $11.37 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $73,840 | $35.50 |
| Firefighter | $86,010 | $41.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $102,930 | $49.49 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $58,410 | $28.08 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
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 Ames, IA?
The median salary for security guards in the Ames, IA metro area is $37,430 a year, or $17.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $53,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of security guards in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $53,260 a year. The top 25% earn $48,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,010 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $35,580 or less.
How many security guards work in Ames, IA?
About 260 security guards are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.