Security Guard salary in Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV
Security Guards in the Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV metro area earn a median of $33,990 a year ($16.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 760 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,630 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 11% lower than the Maryland statewide median of $38,220. There are 7.1 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,240 | $13.10 |
| 25th percentile | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Median | $33,990 | $16.34 |
| 75th percentile | $43,890 | $21.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,630 | $26.26 |
| Average (mean) | $38,620 | $18.57 |
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 | $2,832.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,416.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,307.31 |
| Weekly | $653.65 |
| Hourly | $16.34 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $46,830 | 40,950 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $44,880 | 380 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $37,900 | 260 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $37,450 | 25,460 |
| Salisbury, MD | $37,180 | 240 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $36,970 | 16,020 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $34,800 | 700 |
| Morgantown, WV | $34,290 | 360 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $31,230 | 150 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $30,960 | 330 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | $29,730 | 160 |
| Charleston, WV | $20,800 | 2,160 |
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 Maryland statewide figures.
Related jobs in Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $43,700 | $21.01 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $64,250 | $30.89 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $66,020 | $31.74 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $77,950 | $37.48 |
| Firefighter | $49,690 | $23.89 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $97,710 | $46.97 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $98,700 | $47.45 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $59,300 | $28.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $74,820 | $35.97 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV
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 Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV?
The median salary for security guards in the Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV metro area is $33,990 a year, or $16.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV?
The top 10% of security guards in the Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV metro area earn at least $54,630 a year. The top 25% earn $43,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,240 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $31,200 or less.
How many security guards work in Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV?
About 760 security guards are employed in the Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.