Security Guard salary in Helena, MT
Security Guards in the Helena, MT metro area earn a median of $37,920 a year ($18.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,460 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 1% lower than the Montana statewide median of $38,480. There are 2.0 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.25). The average (mean) salary is $39,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Helena, MT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,970 | $13.93 |
| 25th percentile | $35,260 | $16.95 |
| Median | $37,920 | $18.23 |
| 75th percentile | $40,280 | $19.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,460 | $24.74 |
| Average (mean) | $39,230 | $18.86 |
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 | $3,160 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,580 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,458.46 |
| Weekly | $729.23 |
| Hourly | $18.23 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Great Falls, MT | $41,950 | 260 |
| Bozeman, MT | $41,420 | 130 |
| Billings, MT | $38,040 | 230 |
| 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 Helena, MT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $75,430 | $36.27 |
| Firefighter | $54,260 | $26.09 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $73,950 | $35.55 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $52,140 | $25.07 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $97,850 | $47.04 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Helena, 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 Helena, MT?
The median salary for security guards in the Helena, MT metro area is $37,920 a year, or $18.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Helena, MT?
The top 10% of security guards in the Helena, MT metro area earn at least $51,460 a year. The top 25% earn $40,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Helena, MT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,970 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $35,260 or less.
How many security guards work in Helena, MT?
About 90 security guards are employed in the Helena, MT metro area, not counting the self-employed.