Security Guard salary in Bowling Green, KY
Security Guards in the Bowling Green, KY metro area earn a median of $34,720 a year ($16.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 390 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,340 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 2% lower than the Kentucky statewide median of $35,420. There are 4.7 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.57). The average (mean) salary is $39,440, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Bowling Green, KY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,520 | $14.67 |
| 25th percentile | $31,710 | $15.24 |
| Median | $34,720 | $16.69 |
| 75th percentile | $39,360 | $18.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,340 | $22.76 |
| Average (mean) | $39,440 | $18.96 |
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 | $2,893.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,446.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,335.38 |
| Weekly | $667.69 |
| Hourly | $16.69 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $36,420 | 5,000 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $36,370 | 170 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $36,110 | 7,970 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $35,900 | 340 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $35,400 | 2,560 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $34,800 | 700 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $34,450 | 140 |
| Owensboro, KY | $31,440 | 560 |
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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Bowling Green, KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $23,430 | $11.26 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $60,550 | $29.11 |
| Firefighter | $35,240 | $16.94 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $41,100 | $19.76 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $77,430 | $37.23 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $79,360 | $38.16 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $48,690 | $23.41 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Bowling Green, KY
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 Bowling Green, KY?
The median salary for security guards in the Bowling Green, KY metro area is $34,720 a year, or $16.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Bowling Green, KY?
The top 10% of security guards in the Bowling Green, KY metro area earn at least $47,340 a year. The top 25% earn $39,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Bowling Green, KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,520 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $31,710 or less.
How many security guards work in Bowling Green, KY?
About 390 security guards are employed in the Bowling Green, KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.