Security Guard salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Security Guards in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $37,050 a year ($17.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 12,570 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,940 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is about the same as the Michigan statewide median of $37,080. There are 6.6 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $40,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,170 | $14.02 |
| 25th percentile | $34,400 | $16.54 |
| Median | $37,050 | $17.81 |
| 75th percentile | $47,040 | $22.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,940 | $26.41 |
| Average (mean) | $40,790 | $19.61 |
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 | $3,087.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,543.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,425 |
| Weekly | $712.50 |
| Hourly | $17.81 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $42,100 | 630 |
| Midland, MI | $40,880 | 120 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $40,810 | 3,100 |
| Saginaw, MI | $40,730 | 210 |
| Traverse City, MI | $40,060 | 180 |
| Jackson, MI | $38,750 | 170 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $38,210 | 550 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $37,340 | 470 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $37,200 | 280 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $36,090 | 900 |
| Niles, MI | $35,690 | 740 |
| Flint, MI | $34,930 | 2,060 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $32,870 | 120 |
| Bay City, MI | $29,820 | 70 |
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,540 | $14.20 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $69,640 | $33.48 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,240 | $17.43 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $47,690 | $22.93 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $56,930 | $27.37 |
| Animal Control Worker | $48,340 | $23.24 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $78,450 | $37.72 |
| Firefighter | $62,730 | $30.16 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $67,920 | $32.65 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $98,140 | $47.19 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $95,820 | $46.07 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $86,490 | $41.58 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $56,570 | $27.20 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for security guards in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $37,050 a year, or $17.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of security guards in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $54,940 a year. The top 25% earn $47,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,170 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $34,400 or less.
How many security guards work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 12,570 security guards are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.