Security Guard salary in Columbia, MO
Security Guards in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $36,950 a year ($17.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 640 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,520 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 9% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $40,390. There are 6.0 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $39,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| 25th percentile | $32,460 | $15.61 |
| Median | $36,950 | $17.76 |
| 75th percentile | $45,470 | $21.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,520 | $23.81 |
| Average (mean) | $39,220 | $18.86 |
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 | $3,079.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,539.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,421.15 |
| Weekly | $710.58 |
| Hourly | $17.76 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jefferson City, MO | $44,430 | 350 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $42,600 | 9,720 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $41,810 | 7,730 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $39,180 | 270 |
| Springfield, MO | $39,010 | 1,000 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $37,830 | 180 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $36,630 | 140 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $62,080 | $29.85 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $42,620 | $20.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $81,340 | $39.11 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $59,320 | $28.52 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $61,170 | $29.41 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, MO
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 Columbia, MO?
The median salary for security guards in the Columbia, MO metro area is $36,950 a year, or $17.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of security guards in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $49,520 a year. The top 25% earn $45,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,600 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $32,460 or less.
How many security guards work in Columbia, MO?
About 640 security guards are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.