Security Guard salary in Dover, DE
Security Guards in the Dover, DE metro area earn a median of $35,100 a year ($16.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,890 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 3% lower than the Delaware statewide median of $36,360. There are 3.5 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.43). The average (mean) salary is $39,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Dover, DE
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $32,600 | $15.67 |
| Median | $35,100 | $16.88 |
| 75th percentile | $44,950 | $21.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,890 | $24.95 |
| Average (mean) | $39,380 | $18.94 |
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 | $2,925 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,462.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,350 |
| Weekly | $675 |
| Hourly | $16.88 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $37,450 | 25,460 |
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 Delaware statewide figures.
Related jobs in Dover, DE
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $33,670 | $16.19 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,410 | $17.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $50,180 | $24.13 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Dover, DE
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 Dover, DE?
The median salary for security guards in the Dover, DE metro area is $35,100 a year, or $16.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Dover, DE?
The top 10% of security guards in the Dover, DE metro area earn at least $51,890 a year. The top 25% earn $44,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Dover, DE?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $32,600 or less.
How many security guards work in Dover, DE?
About 240 security guards are employed in the Dover, DE metro area, not counting the self-employed.