Security Guard salary in Johnstown, PA
Security Guards in the Johnstown, PA metro area earn a median of $31,320 a year ($15.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,610 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 15% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $37,050. There are 5.5 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $33,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Johnstown, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,570 | $10.37 |
| 25th percentile | $27,790 | $13.36 |
| Median | $31,320 | $15.06 |
| 75th percentile | $38,120 | $18.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,610 | $21.45 |
| Average (mean) | $33,200 | $15.96 |
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 | $2,610 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,305 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,204.62 |
| Weekly | $602.31 |
| Hourly | $15.06 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chambersburg, PA | $42,130 | 210 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $39,500 | 130 |
| Reading, PA | $38,960 | 1,050 |
| Lancaster, PA | $38,090 | 880 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $37,880 | 2,320 |
| Lebanon, PA | $37,470 | 130 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $37,450 | 25,460 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $36,020 | 2,570 |
| Altoona, PA | $35,900 | 230 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $35,850 | 9,250 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $35,660 | 830 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $35,160 | 2,070 |
| Erie, PA | $34,530 | 840 |
| Williamsport, PA | $34,440 | 510 |
| State College, PA | $34,290 | 280 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Johnstown, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,240 | $28.48 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $56,450 | $27.14 |
| Firefighter | $51,050 | $24.54 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Johnstown, PA
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 Johnstown, PA?
The median salary for security guards in the Johnstown, PA metro area is $31,320 a year, or $15.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Johnstown, PA?
The top 10% of security guards in the Johnstown, PA metro area earn at least $44,610 a year. The top 25% earn $38,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Johnstown, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,570 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $27,790 or less.
How many security guards work in Johnstown, PA?
About 260 security guards are employed in the Johnstown, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.