Security Guard salary in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
Security Guards in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area earn a median of $38,210 a year ($18.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 550 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,840 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 3% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $37,080. There are 2.5 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.31). The average (mean) salary is $41,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,150 | $14.49 |
| 25th percentile | $33,620 | $16.17 |
| Median | $38,210 | $18.37 |
| 75th percentile | $46,660 | $22.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,840 | $28.29 |
| Average (mean) | $41,860 | $20.13 |
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 | $3,184.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,592.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,469.62 |
| Weekly | $734.81 |
| Hourly | $18.37 |
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 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $37,340 | 470 |
| 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 Lansing-East Lansing, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| School Bus Monitor | $29,540 | $14.20 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,440 | $14.15 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $36,410 | $17.51 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $75,670 | $36.38 |
| Firefighter | $57,540 | $27.66 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $94,150 | $45.27 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $86,510 | $41.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $72,420 | $34.82 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $58,940 | $28.34 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $55,950 | $26.90 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Lansing-East Lansing, 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 Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
The median salary for security guards in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area is $38,210 a year, or $18.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
The top 10% of security guards in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area earn at least $58,840 a year. The top 25% earn $46,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,150 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $33,620 or less.
How many security guards work in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
About 550 security guards are employed in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.