Security Guard salary in Bismarck, ND
Security Guards in the Bismarck, ND metro area earn a median of $36,130 a year ($17.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 380 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,350 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 8% lower than the North Dakota statewide median of $39,310. There are 5.4 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $39,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Bismarck, ND
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,880 | $14.85 |
| 25th percentile | $34,670 | $16.67 |
| Median | $36,130 | $17.37 |
| 75th percentile | $44,430 | $21.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $52,350 | $25.17 |
| Average (mean) | $39,780 | $19.12 |
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 | $3,010.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,505.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,389.62 |
| Weekly | $694.81 |
| Hourly | $17.37 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $41,750 | 110 |
| Minot, ND | $39,430 | 80 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $37,770 | 350 |
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 North Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Bismarck, ND
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,030 | $13.96 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $54,620 | $26.26 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $51,130 | $24.58 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $63,230 | $30.40 |
| Firefighter | $47,440 | $22.81 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $64,640 | $31.08 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $76,450 | $36.75 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Bismarck, ND
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 Bismarck, ND?
The median salary for security guards in the Bismarck, ND metro area is $36,130 a year, or $17.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Bismarck, ND?
The top 10% of security guards in the Bismarck, ND metro area earn at least $52,350 a year. The top 25% earn $44,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Bismarck, ND?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,880 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $34,670 or less.
How many security guards work in Bismarck, ND?
About 380 security guards are employed in the Bismarck, ND metro area, not counting the self-employed.