Security Guard salary in Kentucky
Security Guards in Kentucky earn a median of $35,420 a year ($17.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 13,580 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,800 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $38,020. Kentucky ranks 45th of 51 states for security guards pay. There are 6.8 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,450 | $13.68 |
| 25th percentile | $31,440 | $15.12 |
| Median | $35,420 | $17.03 |
| 75th percentile | $40,370 | $19.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,800 | $24.42 |
| Average (mean) | $38,540 | $18.53 |
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 | $2,951.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,475.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,362.31 |
| Weekly | $681.15 |
| Hourly | $17.03 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Security Guard salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $36,420 | 5,000 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $36,370 | 170 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $36,110 | 7,970 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $35,900 | 340 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $35,400 | 2,560 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $34,800 | 700 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $34,720 | 390 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $34,450 | 140 |
| Owensboro, KY | $31,440 | 560 |
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 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,520 | $13.71 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $46,580 | $22.39 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $34,450 | $16.56 |
| School Bus Monitor | $28,220 | $13.57 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $47,650 | $22.91 |
| Animal Control Worker | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $36,330 | $17.46 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $60,490 | $29.08 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $42,310 | $20.34 |
| Firefighter | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $80,390 | $38.65 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $60,850 | $29.26 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $50,260 | $24.17 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for security guards in Kentucky is $35,420 a year, or $17.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of security guards in Kentucky earn at least $50,800 a year. The top 25% earn $40,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,450 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $31,440 or less.
How many security guards work in Kentucky?
About 13,580 security guards are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.