Security Guard salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Security Guards in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn a median of $36,970 a year ($17.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 16,020 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,200 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 3% lower than the Maryland statewide median of $38,220. There are 12 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $42,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,810 | $15.77 |
| 25th percentile | $35,390 | $17.01 |
| Median | $36,970 | $17.78 |
| 75th percentile | $45,460 | $21.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,200 | $29.91 |
| Average (mean) | $42,620 | $20.49 |
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 | $3,080.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,540.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,421.92 |
| Weekly | $710.96 |
| Hourly | $17.78 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $46,830 | 40,950 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $44,880 | 380 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $37,450 | 25,460 |
| Salisbury, MD | $37,180 | 240 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $33,990 | 760 |
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 Maryland statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $34,080 | $16.39 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,850 | $17.24 |
| School Bus Monitor | $38,590 | $18.55 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $72,240 | $34.73 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $52,780 | $25.38 |
| Animal Control Worker | $49,890 | $23.99 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $76,530 | $36.80 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $124,660 | $59.93 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $64,250 | $30.89 |
| Firefighter | $73,810 | $35.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $110,060 | $52.91 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $79,150 | $38.05 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $60,770 | $29.22 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $128,440 | $61.75 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
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 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The median salary for security guards in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area is $36,970 a year, or $17.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The top 10% of security guards in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn at least $62,200 a year. The top 25% earn $45,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,810 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $35,390 or less.
How many security guards work in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
About 16,020 security guards are employed in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area, not counting the self-employed.