Security Guard salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Security Guards in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $37,550 a year ($18.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,360 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,730 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 1% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $37,080. There are 5.8 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $44,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,380 | $14.60 |
| 25th percentile | $34,340 | $16.51 |
| Median | $37,550 | $18.05 |
| 75th percentile | $46,740 | $22.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,730 | $35.45 |
| Average (mean) | $44,300 | $21.30 |
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 | $3,129.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,564.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,444.23 |
| Weekly | $722.12 |
| Hourly | $18.05 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $42,370 | 3,170 |
| Iowa City, IA | $39,540 | 270 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $38,670 | 380 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $38,480 | 350 |
| Dubuque, IA | $37,620 | 170 |
| Ames, IA | $37,430 | 260 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $36,940 | 1,070 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $36,800 | 1,040 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $26,480 | $12.73 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,590 | $29.61 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $41,110 | $19.77 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $81,810 | $39.33 |
| Firefighter | $56,910 | $27.36 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $63,230 | $30.40 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $117,790 | $56.63 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $79,560 | $38.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $110,210 | $52.99 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $45,700 | $21.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $90,370 | $43.45 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $74,530 | $35.83 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for security guards in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $37,550 a year, or $18.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of security guards in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $73,730 a year. The top 25% earn $46,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,380 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $34,340 or less.
How many security guards work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 2,360 security guards are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.