Security Guard salary in Lake Charles, LA
Security Guards in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median of $29,740 a year ($14.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 870 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,530 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 8% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $32,240. There are 8.5 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $33,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Lake Charles, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,620 | $10.39 |
| 25th percentile | $28,700 | $13.80 |
| Median | $29,740 | $14.30 |
| 75th percentile | $34,910 | $16.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,530 | $23.33 |
| Average (mean) | $33,780 | $16.24 |
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 | $2,478.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,239.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,143.85 |
| Weekly | $571.92 |
| Hourly | $14.30 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | $36,500 | 2,810 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $34,260 | 400 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $32,240 | 6,650 |
| Hammond, LA | $30,880 | n/a |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $30,720 | 1,130 |
| Lafayette, LA | $30,090 | 900 |
| Alexandria, LA | $29,430 | 410 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $29,040 | 410 |
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lake Charles, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $25,210 | $12.12 |
| School Bus Monitor | $31,410 | $15.10 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $36,390 | $17.50 |
| Animal Control Worker | $38,020 | $18.28 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $56,290 | $27.06 |
| Firefighter | $29,550 | $14.21 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $72,230 | $34.73 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $39,960 | $19.21 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $58,240 | $28.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $51,040 | $24.54 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $44,370 | $21.33 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Lake Charles, LA
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 Lake Charles, LA?
The median salary for security guards in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $29,740 a year, or $14.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Lake Charles, LA?
The top 10% of security guards in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn at least $48,530 a year. The top 25% earn $34,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Lake Charles, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,620 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $28,700 or less.
How many security guards work in Lake Charles, LA?
About 870 security guards are employed in the Lake Charles, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.