Security Guard salary in Jefferson City, MO
Security Guards in the Jefferson City, MO metro area earn a median of $44,430 a year ($21.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 350 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,640 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 10% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $40,390. 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 $48,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Jefferson City, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,770 | $14.31 |
| 25th percentile | $35,810 | $17.21 |
| Median | $44,430 | $21.36 |
| 75th percentile | $59,340 | $28.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,640 | $35.41 |
| Average (mean) | $48,100 | $23.13 |
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 | $3,702.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,851.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,708.85 |
| Weekly | $854.42 |
| Hourly | $21.36 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $42,600 | 9,720 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $41,810 | 7,730 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $39,180 | 270 |
| Springfield, MO | $39,010 | 1,000 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $37,830 | 180 |
| Columbia, MO | $36,950 | 640 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $36,630 | 140 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Jefferson City, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $42,620 | $20.49 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,860 | $28.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $102,840 | $49.44 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $50,710 | $24.38 |
| Firefighter | $47,030 | $22.61 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $56,870 | $27.34 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $63,770 | $30.66 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Jefferson City, MO
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 Jefferson City, MO?
The median salary for security guards in the Jefferson City, MO metro area is $44,430 a year, or $21.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Jefferson City, MO?
The top 10% of security guards in the Jefferson City, MO metro area earn at least $73,640 a year. The top 25% earn $59,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Jefferson City, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,770 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $35,810 or less.
How many security guards work in Jefferson City, MO?
About 350 security guards are employed in the Jefferson City, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.