Security Guard salary in Great Falls, MT
Security Guards in the Great Falls, MT metro area earn a median of $41,950 a year ($20.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,380 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 9% higher than the Montana statewide median of $38,480. There are 7.1 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $41,390, close to the median.
Pay range for security guards in Great Falls, MT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,060 | $17.34 |
| 25th percentile | $36,660 | $17.63 |
| Median | $41,950 | $20.17 |
| 75th percentile | $44,380 | $21.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,380 | $21.34 |
| Average (mean) | $41,390 | $19.90 |
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 | $3,495.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,747.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,613.46 |
| Weekly | $806.73 |
| Hourly | $20.17 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $41,420 | 130 |
| Billings, MT | $38,040 | 230 |
| Helena, MT | $37,920 | 90 |
| Missoula, MT | $36,750 | 220 |
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 Montana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Great Falls, MT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $78,870 | $37.92 |
| Firefighter | $60,080 | $28.89 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $136,120 | $65.44 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $81,410 | $39.14 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Great Falls, MT
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 Great Falls, MT?
The median salary for security guards in the Great Falls, MT metro area is $41,950 a year, or $20.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Great Falls, MT?
The top 10% of security guards in the Great Falls, MT metro area earn at least $44,380 a year. The top 25% earn $44,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Great Falls, MT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,060 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $36,660 or less.
How many security guards work in Great Falls, MT?
About 260 security guards are employed in the Great Falls, MT metro area, not counting the self-employed.