Security Guard salary in Arkansas
Security Guards in Arkansas earn a median of $35,770 a year ($17.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,390 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,410 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $38,020. Arkansas ranks 42nd of 51 states for security guards pay. There are 4.9 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.59). The average (mean) salary is $38,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,870 | $13.88 |
| 25th percentile | $29,750 | $14.30 |
| Median | $35,770 | $17.20 |
| 75th percentile | $41,210 | $19.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,410 | $27.60 |
| Average (mean) | $38,300 | $18.41 |
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 | $2,980.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,490.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,375.77 |
| Weekly | $687.88 |
| Hourly | $17.20 |
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 Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Hot Springs, AR | $36,120 | 200 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $36,110 | 1,150 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $35,930 | 2,260 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $35,100 | 8,450 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $34,820 | 250 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $34,530 | 420 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $34,060 | 150 |
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 Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| School Bus Monitor | $28,260 | $13.59 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $31,270 | $15.03 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,000 | $12.98 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $47,750 | $22.96 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Animal Control Worker | $34,410 | $16.54 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $30,830 | $14.82 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $47,670 | $22.92 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $40,330 | $19.39 |
| Firefighter | $39,690 | $19.08 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $62,290 | $29.95 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $49,590 | $23.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $54,000 | $25.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $61,890 | $29.75 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
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 Arkansas?
The median salary for security guards in Arkansas is $35,770 a year, or $17.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of security guards in Arkansas earn at least $57,410 a year. The top 25% earn $41,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,870 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $29,750 or less.
How many security guards work in Arkansas?
About 6,390 security guards are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.