Security Guard salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Security Guards in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $35,650 a year ($17.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,820 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,440 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 1% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $36,000. There are 6.8 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,980 | $12.97 |
| 25th percentile | $30,030 | $14.44 |
| Median | $35,650 | $17.14 |
| 75th percentile | $42,560 | $20.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,440 | $30.50 |
| Average (mean) | $38,910 | $18.71 |
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 | $2,970.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,485.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,371.15 |
| Weekly | $685.58 |
| Hourly | $17.14 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Hinesville, GA | $48,780 | 120 |
| Dalton, GA | $37,820 | 130 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $37,010 | 10,710 |
| Rome, GA | $36,430 | 140 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $36,270 | 500 |
| Jackson, TN | $35,960 | 460 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $35,900 | 340 |
| Knoxville, TN | $35,810 | 2,860 |
| Gainesville, GA | $35,360 | 380 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $35,150 | 22,730 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $35,100 | 8,450 |
| Savannah, GA | $34,810 | 1,880 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $34,530 | 190 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $33,940 | 460 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $33,910 | 560 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $33,620 | 260 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $33,450 | 3,370 |
| Valdosta, GA | $32,810 | 130 |
| Morristown, TN | $30,790 | 70 |
| Cleveland, TN | $30,680 | 100 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $29,720 | 1,150 |
| Albany, GA | $29,700 | 770 |
| Johnson City, TN | $27,720 | 570 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,090 | $13.51 |
| School Bus Monitor | $28,180 | $13.55 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $51,330 | $24.68 |
| Firefighter | $46,060 | $22.15 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $74,860 | $35.99 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $49,430 | $23.76 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $100,340 | $48.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $77,920 | $37.46 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $74,600 | $35.87 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $64,980 | $31.24 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
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 Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for security guards in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $35,650 a year, or $17.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of security guards in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $63,440 a year. The top 25% earn $42,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,980 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $30,030 or less.
How many security guards work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 1,820 security guards are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.