Security Guard salary in Joplin, MO-KS
Security Guards in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area earn a median of $37,830 a year ($18.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,740 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 6% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $40,390. There are 2.0 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.25). The average (mean) salary is $40,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Joplin, MO-KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,530 | $14.20 |
| 25th percentile | $30,990 | $14.90 |
| Median | $37,830 | $18.19 |
| 75th percentile | $43,610 | $20.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,740 | $24.88 |
| Average (mean) | $40,070 | $19.27 |
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 | $3,152.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,576.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,455 |
| Weekly | $727.50 |
| Hourly | $18.19 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jefferson City, MO | $44,430 | 350 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $42,600 | 9,720 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $41,810 | 7,730 |
| Manhattan, KS | $39,730 | 160 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $39,180 | 270 |
| Springfield, MO | $39,010 | 1,000 |
| Columbia, MO | $36,950 | 640 |
| Topeka, KS | $36,830 | 530 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $36,630 | 140 |
| Lawrence, KS | $35,080 | 160 |
| Wichita, KS | $34,790 | 1,650 |
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 Joplin, MO-KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| School Bus Monitor | $32,470 | $15.61 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $45,460 | $21.86 |
| Firefighter | $38,850 | $18.68 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $35,200 | $16.92 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $71,630 | $34.44 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $52,670 | $25.32 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $49,200 | $23.65 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Joplin, MO-KS
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 Joplin, MO-KS?
The median salary for security guards in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area is $37,830 a year, or $18.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Joplin, MO-KS?
The top 10% of security guards in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area earn at least $51,740 a year. The top 25% earn $43,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Joplin, MO-KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,530 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $30,990 or less.
How many security guards work in Joplin, MO-KS?
About 180 security guards are employed in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.