Security Guard salary in Lawrence, KS
Security Guards in the Lawrence, KS metro area earn a median of $35,080 a year ($16.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,280 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 5% lower than the Kansas statewide median of $37,080. There are 3.0 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.37). The average (mean) salary is $35,240, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Lawrence, KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,780 | $13.84 |
| 25th percentile | $29,160 | $14.02 |
| Median | $35,080 | $16.87 |
| 75th percentile | $37,940 | $18.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,280 | $21.29 |
| Average (mean) | $35,240 | $16.94 |
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 | $2,923.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,461.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,349.23 |
| Weekly | $674.62 |
| Hourly | $16.87 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $41,810 | 7,730 |
| Manhattan, KS | $39,730 | 160 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $39,180 | 270 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $37,830 | 180 |
| Topeka, KS | $36,830 | 530 |
| Wichita, KS | $34,790 | 1,650 |
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 Kansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lawrence, KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,190 | $14.03 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $63,380 | $30.47 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $102,210 | $49.14 |
| Firefighter | $51,930 | $24.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $128,760 | $61.90 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $93,020 | $44.72 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Lawrence, KS
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 Lawrence, KS?
The median salary for security guards in the Lawrence, KS metro area is $35,080 a year, or $16.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Lawrence, KS?
The top 10% of security guards in the Lawrence, KS metro area earn at least $44,280 a year. The top 25% earn $37,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Lawrence, KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,780 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $29,160 or less.
How many security guards work in Lawrence, KS?
About 160 security guards are employed in the Lawrence, KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.