Security Guard salary in Knoxville, TN
Security Guards in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $35,810 a year ($17.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,860 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,010 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 1% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $36,000. There are 6.7 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $39,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,420 | $14.14 |
| 25th percentile | $30,200 | $14.52 |
| Median | $35,810 | $17.22 |
| 75th percentile | $43,470 | $20.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,010 | $27.41 |
| Average (mean) | $39,730 | $19.10 |
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 | $2,984.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,492.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,377.31 |
| Weekly | $688.65 |
| Hourly | $17.22 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $37,010 | 10,710 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $36,270 | 500 |
| Jackson, TN | $35,960 | 460 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $35,900 | 340 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $35,650 | 1,820 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $35,100 | 8,450 |
| Morristown, TN | $30,790 | 70 |
| Cleveland, TN | $30,680 | 100 |
| Johnson City, TN | $27,720 | 570 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,310 | $16.98 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $26,920 | $12.94 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $45,620 | $21.93 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $43,150 | $20.74 |
| School Bus Monitor | $26,680 | $12.83 |
| Animal Control Worker | $39,720 | $19.10 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $56,380 | $27.11 |
| Firefighter | $47,160 | $22.67 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $52,040 | $25.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $60,800 | $29.23 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $74,980 | $36.05 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $78,600 | $37.79 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $48,710 | $23.42 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for security guards in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $35,810 a year, or $17.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of security guards in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $57,010 a year. The top 25% earn $43,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,420 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $30,200 or less.
How many security guards work in Knoxville, TN?
About 2,860 security guards are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.