Security Guard salary in Lexington-Fayette, KY
Security Guards in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn a median of $35,400 a year ($17.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,560 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,850 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is about the same as the Kentucky statewide median of $35,420. There are 8.9 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $37,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,310 | $13.61 |
| 25th percentile | $33,990 | $16.34 |
| Median | $35,400 | $17.02 |
| 75th percentile | $37,140 | $17.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,850 | $23.00 |
| Average (mean) | $37,490 | $18.02 |
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 | $2,950 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,475 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,361.54 |
| Weekly | $680.77 |
| Hourly | $17.02 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $36,420 | 5,000 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $36,370 | 170 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $36,110 | 7,970 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $35,900 | 340 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $34,800 | 700 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $34,720 | 390 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $34,450 | 140 |
| Owensboro, KY | $31,440 | 560 |
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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $34,450 | $16.56 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $60,230 | $28.96 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $41,930 | $20.16 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,180 | $14.03 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $61,720 | $29.67 |
| Firefighter | $36,490 | $17.54 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $51,510 | $24.77 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $69,140 | $33.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $96,140 | $46.22 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $44,910 | $21.59 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $84,900 | $40.82 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $67,530 | $32.47 |
| Bailiff | $32,020 | $15.39 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Lexington-Fayette, KY
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 Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The median salary for security guards in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $35,400 a year, or $17.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The top 10% of security guards in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn at least $47,850 a year. The top 25% earn $37,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,310 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $33,990 or less.
How many security guards work in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
About 2,560 security guards are employed in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.