Security Guard salary in Jackson, MS
Security Guards in the Jackson, MS metro area earn a median of $27,950 a year ($13.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,340 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,820 for the top 10%. That is 26% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 4% lower than the Mississippi statewide median of $29,180. There are 12 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $31,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Jackson, MS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,950 | $10.56 |
| 25th percentile | $26,620 | $12.80 |
| Median | $27,950 | $13.44 |
| 75th percentile | $35,290 | $16.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,820 | $21.55 |
| Average (mean) | $31,610 | $15.20 |
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 | $2,329.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,164.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,075 |
| Weekly | $537.50 |
| Hourly | $13.44 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $35,100 | 8,450 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $30,980 | 1,810 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $30,760 | 250 |
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 Mississippi statewide figures.
Related jobs in Jackson, MS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| School Bus Monitor | $24,750 | $11.90 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $28,910 | $13.90 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $22,970 | $11.04 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $37,920 | $18.23 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $51,770 | $24.89 |
| Animal Control Worker | $32,830 | $15.78 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $49,160 | $23.64 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| Firefighter | $34,970 | $16.81 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $63,120 | $30.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $45,980 | $22.11 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $68,520 | $32.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $38,550 | $18.53 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Jackson, MS
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 Jackson, MS?
The median salary for security guards in the Jackson, MS metro area is $27,950 a year, or $13.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Jackson, MS?
The top 10% of security guards in the Jackson, MS metro area earn at least $44,820 a year. The top 25% earn $35,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Jackson, MS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,950 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $26,620 or less.
How many security guards work in Jackson, MS?
About 3,340 security guards are employed in the Jackson, MS metro area, not counting the self-employed.