Security Guard salary in Idaho
Security Guards in Idaho earn a median of $38,300 a year ($18.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,750 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,680 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $38,020. Idaho ranks 25th of 51 states for security guards pay. There are 4.4 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.53). The average (mean) salary is $44,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Idaho
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,030 | $15.40 |
| 25th percentile | $34,430 | $16.55 |
| Median | $38,300 | $18.41 |
| 75th percentile | $45,930 | $22.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,680 | $37.83 |
| Average (mean) | $44,100 | $21.20 |
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 | $3,191.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,595.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,473.08 |
| Weekly | $736.54 |
| Hourly | $18.41 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Security Guard salary in cities in Idaho
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Falls, ID | $78,680 | 570 |
| Logan, UT-ID | $39,600 | 100 |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $38,870 | 330 |
| Pocatello, ID | $37,790 | 100 |
| Boise City, ID | $37,380 | 2,080 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $36,650 | 80 |
| Twin Falls, ID | $32,040 | 190 |
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 |
Related jobs in Idaho
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,770 | $13.83 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $40,060 | $19.26 |
| School Bus Monitor | $32,230 | $15.49 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $47,910 | $23.03 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $46,580 | $22.39 |
| Animal Control Worker | $43,930 | $21.12 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $38,850 | $18.68 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $66,990 | $32.21 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $53,580 | $25.76 |
| Firefighter | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $94,920 | $45.64 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $72,520 | $34.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $92,630 | $44.53 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Idaho
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 Idaho?
The median salary for security guards in Idaho is $38,300 a year, or $18.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Idaho?
The top 10% of security guards in Idaho earn at least $78,680 a year. The top 25% earn $45,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Idaho?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,030 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $34,430 or less.
How many security guards work in Idaho?
About 3,750 security guards are employed in Idaho, not counting the self-employed.