Security Guard salary in Minnesota
Security Guards in Minnesota earn a median of $43,380 a year ($20.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 14,440 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,090 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $38,020. Minnesota ranks 11th of 51 states for security guards pay. There are 4.9 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.59). The average (mean) salary is $45,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,760 | $16.23 |
| 25th percentile | $37,020 | $17.80 |
| Median | $43,380 | $20.86 |
| 75th percentile | $46,110 | $22.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,090 | $31.29 |
| Average (mean) | $45,460 | $21.86 |
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 | $3,615 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,807.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,668.46 |
| Weekly | $834.23 |
| Hourly | $20.86 |
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 Minnesota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rochester, MN | $47,790 | 520 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $43,430 | 10,930 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $41,750 | 110 |
| Mankato, MN | $39,760 | 150 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $38,430 | 240 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $37,770 | 350 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $37,740 | 640 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $37,520 | 550 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $36,210 | 350 |
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 Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $31,870 | $15.32 |
| School Bus Monitor | $38,590 | $18.56 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $67,290 | $32.35 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $38,330 | $18.43 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $57,880 | $27.83 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $48,100 | $23.13 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $44,080 | $21.19 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $83,360 | $40.08 |
| Firefighter | $38,110 | $18.32 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $66,040 | $31.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $118,750 | $57.09 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $80,000 | $38.46 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $58,540 | $28.14 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $78,800 | $37.89 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for security guards in Minnesota is $43,380 a year, or $20.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of security guards in Minnesota earn at least $65,090 a year. The top 25% earn $46,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,760 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $37,020 or less.
How many security guards work in Minnesota?
About 14,440 security guards are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.