Security Guard salary in Mississippi
Security Guards in Mississippi earn a median of $29,180 a year ($14.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 10,160 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,580 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $38,020. Mississippi ranks 50th of 51 states for security guards pay. There are 8.7 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $31,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Mississippi
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,690 | $10.43 |
| 25th percentile | $26,940 | $12.95 |
| Median | $29,180 | $14.03 |
| 75th percentile | $35,430 | $17.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,580 | $20.47 |
| Average (mean) | $31,750 | $15.26 |
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 | $2,431.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,215.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,122.31 |
| Weekly | $561.15 |
| Hourly | $14.03 |
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 Mississippi
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $35,100 | 8,450 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $30,980 | 1,810 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $30,760 | 250 |
| Jackson, MS | $27,950 | 3,340 |
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 Mississippi
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| School Bus Monitor | $23,500 | $11.30 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $24,440 | $11.75 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $39,060 | $18.78 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $49,800 | $23.94 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Animal Control Worker | $34,890 | $16.77 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $46,140 | $22.18 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $38,720 | $18.62 |
| Firefighter | $35,880 | $17.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $59,860 | $28.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $58,640 | $28.19 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $43,410 | $20.87 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Mississippi
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 Mississippi?
The median salary for security guards in Mississippi is $29,180 a year, or $14.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Mississippi?
The top 10% of security guards in Mississippi earn at least $42,580 a year. The top 25% earn $35,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Mississippi?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,690 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $26,940 or less.
How many security guards work in Mississippi?
About 10,160 security guards are employed in Mississippi, not counting the self-employed.