Security Guard salary in Boulder, CO
Security Guards in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median of $46,450 a year ($22.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 480 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,630 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 3% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $45,150. There are 2.5 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.30). The average (mean) salary is $48,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Boulder, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,440 | $17.52 |
| 25th percentile | $39,370 | $18.93 |
| Median | $46,450 | $22.33 |
| 75th percentile | $55,280 | $26.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,630 | $30.11 |
| Average (mean) | $48,390 | $23.27 |
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 | $3,870.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,935.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,786.54 |
| Weekly | $893.27 |
| Hourly | $22.33 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $45,420 | 10,910 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $43,320 | 1,080 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $42,670 | 2,210 |
| Pueblo, CO | $40,360 | 490 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $38,590 | 230 |
| Greeley, CO | $37,190 | 470 |
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 Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $35,500 | $17.07 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $47,040 | $22.62 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $39,370 | $18.93 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $100,060 | $48.11 |
| Firefighter | $79,390 | $38.17 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $121,000 | $58.17 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $132,360 | $63.63 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $103,360 | $49.69 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $56,890 | $27.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $54,340 | $26.13 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Boulder, CO
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 Boulder, CO?
The median salary for security guards in the Boulder, CO metro area is $46,450 a year, or $22.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Boulder, CO?
The top 10% of security guards in the Boulder, CO metro area earn at least $62,630 a year. The top 25% earn $55,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Boulder, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,440 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $39,370 or less.
How many security guards work in Boulder, CO?
About 480 security guards are employed in the Boulder, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.