Security Guard salary in Louisiana
Security Guards in Louisiana earn a median of $32,240 a year ($15.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 17,210 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,040 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $38,020. Louisiana ranks 49th of 51 states for security guards pay. There are 8.9 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $36,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,660 | $11.37 |
| 25th percentile | $29,430 | $14.15 |
| Median | $32,240 | $15.50 |
| 75th percentile | $38,310 | $18.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,040 | $23.58 |
| Average (mean) | $36,080 | $17.35 |
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 | $2,686.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,343.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,240 |
| Weekly | $620 |
| Hourly | $15.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Security Guard salary in cities in Louisiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | $36,500 | 2,810 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $34,260 | 400 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $32,240 | 6,650 |
| Hammond, LA | $30,880 | n/a |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $30,720 | 1,130 |
| Lafayette, LA | $30,090 | 900 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $29,740 | 870 |
| Alexandria, LA | $29,430 | 410 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $29,040 | 410 |
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 |
Related jobs in Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $44,410 | $21.35 |
| School Bus Monitor | $25,250 | $12.14 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $41,950 | $20.17 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $22,240 | $10.69 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $25,450 | $12.24 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $33,910 | $16.30 |
| Animal Control Worker | $38,020 | $18.28 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $48,380 | $23.26 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $39,850 | $19.16 |
| Firefighter | $33,120 | $15.92 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $70,470 | $33.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $59,750 | $28.73 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $60,450 | $29.06 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Louisiana
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 Louisiana?
The median salary for security guards in Louisiana is $32,240 a year, or $15.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of security guards in Louisiana earn at least $49,040 a year. The top 25% earn $38,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,660 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $29,430 or less.
How many security guards work in Louisiana?
About 17,210 security guards are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.