Security Guard salary in Michigan
Security Guards in Michigan earn a median of $37,080 a year ($17.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 25,240 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,770 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $38,020. Michigan ranks 33rd of 51 states for security guards pay. There are 5.7 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.69). The average (mean) salary is $40,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Michigan
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,790 | $14.32 |
| 25th percentile | $34,230 | $16.46 |
| Median | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| 75th percentile | $46,480 | $22.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,770 | $26.33 |
| Average (mean) | $40,640 | $19.54 |
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 | $3,090 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,545 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,426.15 |
| Weekly | $713.08 |
| Hourly | $17.83 |
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 Michigan
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $42,100 | 630 |
| Midland, MI | $40,880 | 120 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $40,810 | 3,100 |
| Saginaw, MI | $40,730 | 210 |
| Traverse City, MI | $40,060 | 180 |
| Jackson, MI | $38,750 | 170 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $38,210 | 550 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $37,340 | 470 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $37,200 | 280 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $37,050 | 12,570 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $36,090 | 900 |
| Niles, MI | $35,690 | 740 |
| Flint, MI | $34,930 | 2,060 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $32,870 | 120 |
| Bay City, MI | $29,820 | 70 |
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 Michigan
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,760 | $14.31 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $36,540 | $17.57 |
| School Bus Monitor | $32,480 | $15.62 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $67,390 | $32.40 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $48,650 | $23.39 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $46,620 | $22.41 |
| Animal Control Worker | $48,340 | $23.24 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $73,730 | $35.45 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $64,020 | $30.78 |
| Firefighter | $54,640 | $26.27 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $98,140 | $47.19 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $90,650 | $43.58 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $54,500 | $26.20 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Michigan
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 Michigan?
The median salary for security guards in Michigan is $37,080 a year, or $17.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Michigan?
The top 10% of security guards in Michigan earn at least $54,770 a year. The top 25% earn $46,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Michigan?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,790 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $34,230 or less.
How many security guards work in Michigan?
About 25,240 security guards are employed in Michigan, not counting the self-employed.