Security Guard salary in Iowa
Security Guards in Iowa earn a median of $37,080 a year ($17.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,890 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,290 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $38,020. Iowa ranks 31st 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 0.54). The average (mean) salary is $42,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,350 | $14.59 |
| 25th percentile | $34,480 | $16.58 |
| Median | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| 75th percentile | $45,590 | $21.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,290 | $28.51 |
| Average (mean) | $42,220 | $20.30 |
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 | $3,090 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,545 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,426.15 |
| Weekly | $713.08 |
| Hourly | $17.83 |
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 Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $42,370 | 3,170 |
| Iowa City, IA | $39,540 | 270 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $38,670 | 380 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $38,480 | 350 |
| Dubuque, IA | $37,620 | 170 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $37,550 | 2,360 |
| Ames, IA | $37,430 | 260 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $36,940 | 1,070 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $36,800 | 1,040 |
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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $25,460 | $12.24 |
| School Bus Monitor | $32,740 | $15.74 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $35,750 | $17.19 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,590 | $29.61 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $41,240 | $19.83 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $41,110 | $19.77 |
| Animal Control Worker | $54,190 | $26.05 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $38,160 | $18.35 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $74,470 | $35.81 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $53,040 | $25.50 |
| Firefighter | $55,810 | $26.83 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $98,840 | $47.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $76,010 | $36.54 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $79,560 | $38.25 |
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 Iowa?
The median salary for security guards in Iowa is $37,080 a year, or $17.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Iowa?
The top 10% of security guards in Iowa earn at least $59,290 a year. The top 25% earn $45,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,350 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $34,480 or less.
How many security guards work in Iowa?
About 6,890 security guards are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.