Security Guard salary in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
Security Guards in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metro area earn a median of $37,340 a year ($17.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 470 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,470 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 1% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $37,080. There are 3.9 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.47). The average (mean) salary is $41,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,120 | $14.48 |
| 25th percentile | $30,570 | $14.70 |
| Median | $37,340 | $17.95 |
| 75th percentile | $49,350 | $23.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,470 | $27.63 |
| Average (mean) | $41,170 | $19.79 |
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 | $3,111.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,555.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,436.15 |
| Weekly | $718.08 |
| Hourly | $17.95 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $42,100 | 630 |
| Midland, MI | $40,880 | 120 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $40,810 | 3,100 |
| Saginaw, MI | $40,730 | 210 |
| Traverse City, MI | $40,060 | 180 |
| Jackson, MI | $38,750 | 170 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $38,210 | 550 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $37,200 | 280 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $37,050 | 12,570 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $36,090 | 900 |
| Niles, MI | $35,690 | 740 |
| Flint, MI | $34,930 | 2,060 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $32,870 | 120 |
| Bay City, MI | $29,820 | 70 |
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,380 | $13.17 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $34,310 | $16.50 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $74,810 | $35.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $94,530 | $45.45 |
| Firefighter | $45,480 | $21.86 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $84,800 | $40.77 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
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 Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?
The median salary for security guards in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metro area is $37,340 a year, or $17.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?
The top 10% of security guards in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metro area earn at least $57,470 a year. The top 25% earn $49,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,120 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $30,570 or less.
How many security guards work in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?
About 470 security guards are employed in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.