Security Guard salary in Delaware
Security Guards in Delaware earn a median of $36,360 a year ($17.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,430 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,390 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $38,020. Delaware ranks 37th of 51 states for security guards pay. There are 7.1 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Delaware
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,450 | $15.60 |
| 25th percentile | $36,000 | $17.31 |
| Median | $36,360 | $17.48 |
| 75th percentile | $44,450 | $21.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,390 | $35.28 |
| Average (mean) | $43,750 | $21.04 |
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 | $3,030 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,515 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,398.46 |
| Weekly | $699.23 |
| Hourly | $17.48 |
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 Delaware
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $37,450 | 25,460 |
| Dover, DE | $35,100 | 240 |
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 Delaware
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $36,500 | $17.55 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $31,930 | $15.35 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,560 | $17.58 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $39,520 | $19.00 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $55,710 | $26.78 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $38,910 | $18.71 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $92,970 | $44.70 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $65,880 | $31.67 |
| Firefighter | $46,710 | $22.46 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $131,080 | $63.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $84,760 | $40.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $62,840 | $30.21 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $122,050 | $58.68 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $40,360 | $19.40 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Delaware
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 Delaware?
The median salary for security guards in Delaware is $36,360 a year, or $17.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Delaware?
The top 10% of security guards in Delaware earn at least $73,390 a year. The top 25% earn $44,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Delaware?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,450 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $36,000 or less.
How many security guards work in Delaware?
About 3,430 security guards are employed in Delaware, not counting the self-employed.