Security Guard salary in Madison, WI
Security Guards in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $38,020 a year ($18.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,260 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,320 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 2% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $37,440. There are 3.1 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.38). The average (mean) salary is $42,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,670 | $14.27 |
| 25th percentile | $35,180 | $16.91 |
| Median | $38,020 | $18.28 |
| 75th percentile | $49,560 | $23.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,320 | $28.04 |
| Average (mean) | $42,680 | $20.52 |
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 | $3,168.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,584.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,462.31 |
| Weekly | $731.15 |
| Hourly | $18.28 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $45,270 | 260 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $43,430 | 10,930 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $40,870 | 170 |
| Green Bay, WI | $40,130 | 640 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $40,010 | 70 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $37,870 | 5,210 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $37,520 | 550 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $36,330 | 570 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $36,210 | 350 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $36,190 | 160 |
| Appleton, WI | $36,040 | 540 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $35,380 | 70 |
| Kenosha, WI | $35,120 | 420 |
| Wausau, WI | $34,400 | 220 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,830 | $14.82 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $44,840 | $21.56 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $59,140 | $28.44 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $42,320 | $20.35 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $80,580 | $38.74 |
| Firefighter | $56,430 | $27.13 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $76,250 | $36.66 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $102,780 | $49.41 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $117,080 | $56.29 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $85,180 | $40.95 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $60,710 | $29.19 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $100,420 | $48.28 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $78,850 | $37.91 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for security guards in the Madison, WI metro area is $38,020 a year, or $18.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of security guards in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $58,320 a year. The top 25% earn $49,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,670 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $35,180 or less.
How many security guards work in Madison, WI?
About 1,260 security guards are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.