Security Guard salary in Baton Rouge, LA
Security Guards in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn a median of $36,500 a year ($17.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,810 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,150 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 13% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $32,240. There are 6.9 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $39,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Baton Rouge, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,050 | $13.97 |
| 25th percentile | $30,270 | $14.55 |
| Median | $36,500 | $17.55 |
| 75th percentile | $47,540 | $22.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,150 | $27.00 |
| Average (mean) | $39,690 | $19.08 |
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 | $3,041.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,520.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,403.85 |
| Weekly | $701.92 |
| Hourly | $17.55 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $34,260 | 400 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $32,240 | 6,650 |
| Hammond, LA | $30,880 | n/a |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $30,720 | 1,130 |
| Lafayette, LA | $30,090 | 900 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $29,740 | 870 |
| Alexandria, LA | $29,430 | 410 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $29,040 | 410 |
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baton Rouge, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $48,480 | $23.31 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $44,810 | $21.55 |
| School Bus Monitor | $29,300 | $14.09 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $17,780 | $8.55 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $22,240 | $10.69 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $44,920 | $21.60 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $48,710 | $23.42 |
| Firefighter | $33,260 | $15.99 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $62,100 | $29.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $74,450 | $35.79 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $63,760 | $30.65 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $52,900 | $25.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $61,530 | $29.58 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Baton Rouge, LA
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 Baton Rouge, LA?
The median salary for security guards in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area is $36,500 a year, or $17.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Baton Rouge, LA?
The top 10% of security guards in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn at least $56,150 a year. The top 25% earn $47,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Baton Rouge, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,050 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $30,270 or less.
How many security guards work in Baton Rouge, LA?
About 2,810 security guards are employed in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.