Security Guard salary in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI
Security Guards in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area earn a median of $40,810 a year ($19.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,100 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,070 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 10% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $37,080. There are 5.2 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $44,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,690 | $14.76 |
| 25th percentile | $37,550 | $18.05 |
| Median | $40,810 | $19.62 |
| 75th percentile | $50,630 | $24.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,070 | $26.96 |
| Average (mean) | $44,570 | $21.43 |
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 | $3,400.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,700.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,569.62 |
| Weekly | $784.81 |
| Hourly | $19.62 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $40,810 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Security Guard salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $42,100 | 630 |
| Midland, MI | $40,880 | 120 |
| 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 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $37,050 | 12,570 |
| 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 Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,560 | $13.73 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $41,540 | $19.97 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $42,140 | $20.26 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $53,470 | $25.71 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,930 | $17.76 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $74,920 | $36.02 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $68,520 | $32.94 |
| Firefighter | $56,260 | $27.05 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $97,140 | $46.70 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $79,330 | $38.14 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $92,410 | $44.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $69,230 | $33.28 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, 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 Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI?
The median salary for security guards in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area is $40,810 a year, or $19.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI?
The top 10% of security guards in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area earn at least $56,070 a year. The top 25% earn $50,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,690 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $37,550 or less.
How many security guards work in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI?
About 3,100 security guards are employed in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.