Security Guard salary in Maryland
Security Guards in Maryland earn a median of $38,220 a year ($18.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 27,670 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,320 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $38,020. Maryland ranks 27th of 51 states for security guards pay. There are 10 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $44,530, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Maryland
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,700 | $16.20 |
| 25th percentile | $35,700 | $17.16 |
| Median | $38,220 | $18.37 |
| 75th percentile | $46,750 | $22.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,320 | $30.92 |
| Average (mean) | $44,530 | $21.41 |
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 | $3,185 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,592.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,470 |
| Weekly | $735 |
| Hourly | $18.37 |
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 Maryland
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $46,830 | 40,950 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $44,880 | 380 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $37,450 | 25,460 |
| Salisbury, MD | $37,180 | 240 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $36,970 | 16,020 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $33,990 | 760 |
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 Maryland
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $34,520 | $16.60 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,850 | $17.24 |
| School Bus Monitor | $38,750 | $18.63 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $52,780 | $25.38 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $72,240 | $34.73 |
| Animal Control Worker | $53,330 | $25.64 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $47,950 | $23.05 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $77,970 | $37.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $120,700 | $58.03 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $64,250 | $30.89 |
| Firefighter | $73,810 | $35.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $120,530 | $57.95 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $79,150 | $38.05 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $63,690 | $30.62 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Maryland
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 Maryland?
The median salary for security guards in Maryland is $38,220 a year, or $18.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Maryland?
The top 10% of security guards in Maryland earn at least $64,320 a year. The top 25% earn $46,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Maryland?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,700 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $35,700 or less.
How many security guards work in Maryland?
About 27,670 security guards are employed in Maryland, not counting the self-employed.