Security Guard salary in Arizona
Security Guards in Arizona earn a median of $38,290 a year ($18.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 29,820 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,450 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $38,020. Arizona ranks 26th of 51 states for security guards pay. There are 9.2 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $40,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Arizona
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,910 | $15.34 |
| 25th percentile | $35,670 | $17.15 |
| Median | $38,290 | $18.41 |
| 75th percentile | $44,010 | $21.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $52,450 | $25.21 |
| Average (mean) | $40,950 | $19.69 |
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 | $3,190.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,595.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,472.69 |
| Weekly | $736.35 |
| Hourly | $18.41 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Security Guard salary in cities in Arizona
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $38,290 | 23,160 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $38,200 | 400 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $37,030 | 370 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $36,410 | 310 |
| Tucson, AZ | $36,250 | 3,450 |
| Yuma, AZ | $36,050 | 520 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $35,860 | 340 |
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 |
Related jobs in Arizona
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $35,380 | $17.01 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,560 | $16.62 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $64,330 | $30.93 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $49,090 | $23.60 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $61,030 | $29.34 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $50,010 | $24.05 |
| Animal Control Worker | $47,650 | $22.91 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $54,970 | $26.43 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $78,880 | $37.92 |
| Firefighter | $59,280 | $28.50 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $102,340 | $49.20 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $104,850 | $50.41 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $96,470 | $46.38 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Arizona
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 Arizona?
The median salary for security guards in Arizona is $38,290 a year, or $18.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Arizona?
The top 10% of security guards in Arizona earn at least $52,450 a year. The top 25% earn $44,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Arizona?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,910 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $35,670 or less.
How many security guards work in Arizona?
About 29,820 security guards are employed in Arizona, not counting the self-employed.