Security Guard salary in Colorado
Security Guards in Colorado earn a median of $45,150 a year ($21.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 16,890 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,360 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $38,020. Colorado ranks 7th of 51 states for security guards pay. There are 5.9 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $45,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,160 | $17.38 |
| 25th percentile | $37,920 | $18.23 |
| Median | $45,150 | $21.71 |
| 75th percentile | $47,580 | $22.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,360 | $27.58 |
| Average (mean) | $45,870 | $22.05 |
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 | $3,762.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,881.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,736.54 |
| Weekly | $868.27 |
| Hourly | $21.71 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Security Guard salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $46,450 | 480 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $35,640 | $17.13 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $44,340 | $21.32 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $37,620 | $18.09 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $71,530 | $34.39 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $48,730 | $23.43 |
| Animal Control Worker | $58,470 | $28.11 |
| School Bus Monitor | $33,540 | $16.12 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $44,340 | $21.32 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $97,350 | $46.81 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $62,140 | $29.87 |
| Firefighter | $74,170 | $35.66 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $126,810 | $60.97 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $105,480 | $50.71 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $102,580 | $49.32 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
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 Colorado?
The median salary for security guards in Colorado is $45,150 a year, or $21.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Colorado?
The top 10% of security guards in Colorado earn at least $57,360 a year. The top 25% earn $47,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,160 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $37,920 or less.
How many security guards work in Colorado?
About 16,890 security guards are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.