Security Guard salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Security Guards in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $35,100 a year ($16.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,450 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,930 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 3% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $36,000. There are 14 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $36,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,060 | $13.97 |
| 25th percentile | $30,360 | $14.60 |
| Median | $35,100 | $16.88 |
| 75th percentile | $36,880 | $17.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,930 | $22.08 |
| Average (mean) | $36,570 | $17.58 |
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 | $2,925 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,462.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,350 |
| Weekly | $675 |
| Hourly | $16.88 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $37,010 | 10,710 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $36,270 | 500 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $36,120 | 200 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $36,110 | 1,150 |
| Jackson, TN | $35,960 | 460 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $35,930 | 2,260 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $35,900 | 340 |
| Knoxville, TN | $35,810 | 2,860 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $35,650 | 1,820 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $34,820 | 250 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $34,530 | 420 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $34,060 | 150 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $30,980 | 1,810 |
| Morristown, TN | $30,790 | 70 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $30,760 | 250 |
| Cleveland, TN | $30,680 | 100 |
| Jackson, MS | $27,950 | 3,340 |
| Johnson City, TN | $27,720 | 570 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,260 | $13.10 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $32,610 | $15.68 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $99,680 | $47.92 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $45,040 | $21.65 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| School Bus Monitor | $27,250 | $13.10 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $41,930 | $20.16 |
| Animal Control Worker | $43,460 | $20.89 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $75,410 | $36.26 |
| Firefighter | $62,910 | $30.24 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $53,210 | $25.58 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $79,050 | $38.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $50,830 | $24.44 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $82,320 | $39.58 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for security guards in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $35,100 a year, or $16.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of security guards in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $45,930 a year. The top 25% earn $36,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,060 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $30,360 or less.
How many security guards work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 8,450 security guards are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.