Security Guard salary in Lincoln, NE
Security Guards in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn a median of $36,700 a year ($17.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 710 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,460 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 8% lower than the Nebraska statewide median of $39,840. There are 3.9 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.47). The average (mean) salary is $40,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Lincoln, NE
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,470 | $14.65 |
| 25th percentile | $31,460 | $15.12 |
| Median | $36,700 | $17.64 |
| 75th percentile | $43,450 | $20.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,460 | $29.07 |
| Average (mean) | $40,780 | $19.61 |
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 | $3,058.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,529.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,411.54 |
| Weekly | $705.77 |
| Hourly | $17.64 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $42,370 | 3,170 |
| Grand Island, NE | $38,850 | 90 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $38,480 | 350 |
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 Nebraska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lincoln, NE
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,100 | $14.47 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $53,800 | $25.86 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $66,210 | $31.83 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $93,680 | $45.04 |
| Firefighter | $59,760 | $28.73 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $117,860 | $56.66 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $86,530 | $41.60 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $80,810 | $38.85 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $99,760 | $47.96 |
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $65,620 | $31.55 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $44,060 | $21.18 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Lincoln, NE
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 Lincoln, NE?
The median salary for security guards in the Lincoln, NE metro area is $36,700 a year, or $17.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Lincoln, NE?
The top 10% of security guards in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn at least $60,460 a year. The top 25% earn $43,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Lincoln, NE?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,470 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $31,460 or less.
How many security guards work in Lincoln, NE?
About 710 security guards are employed in the Lincoln, NE metro area, not counting the self-employed.