Security Guard salary in Las Cruces, NM
Security Guards in the Las Cruces, NM metro area earn a median of $37,010 a year ($17.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 650 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,240 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 15% lower than the New Mexico statewide median of $43,320. There are 8.1 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $41,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Las Cruces, NM
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,610 | $12.80 |
| 25th percentile | $30,860 | $14.84 |
| Median | $37,010 | $17.79 |
| 75th percentile | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,240 | $29.44 |
| Average (mean) | $41,550 | $19.98 |
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 | $3,084.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,542.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,423.46 |
| Weekly | $711.73 |
| Hourly | $17.79 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | $44,780 | 4,440 |
| Santa Fe, NM | $40,980 | 630 |
| Farmington, NM | $36,820 | 500 |
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 New Mexico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Las Cruces, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $47,790 | $22.98 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $106,330 | $51.12 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $60,720 | $29.19 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $52,370 | $25.18 |
| Firefighter | $42,820 | $20.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $94,730 | $45.54 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $72,880 | $35.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $73,320 | $35.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $59,010 | $28.37 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Las Cruces, NM
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 Las Cruces, NM?
The median salary for security guards in the Las Cruces, NM metro area is $37,010 a year, or $17.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Las Cruces, NM?
The top 10% of security guards in the Las Cruces, NM metro area earn at least $61,240 a year. The top 25% earn $47,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Las Cruces, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,610 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $30,860 or less.
How many security guards work in Las Cruces, NM?
About 650 security guards are employed in the Las Cruces, NM metro area, not counting the self-employed.