Security Guard salary in Missoula, MT
Security Guards in the Missoula, MT metro area earn a median of $36,750 a year ($17.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,430 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 4% lower than the Montana statewide median of $38,480. There are 3.3 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.41). The average (mean) salary is $37,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Missoula, MT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,570 | $13.73 |
| 25th percentile | $34,430 | $16.55 |
| Median | $36,750 | $17.67 |
| 75th percentile | $40,000 | $19.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,430 | $22.81 |
| Average (mean) | $37,790 | $18.17 |
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 | $3,062.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,531.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,413.46 |
| Weekly | $706.73 |
| Hourly | $17.67 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Great Falls, MT | $41,950 | 260 |
| Bozeman, MT | $41,420 | 130 |
| Billings, MT | $38,040 | 230 |
| Helena, MT | $37,920 | 90 |
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 Montana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Missoula, MT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $77,610 | $37.31 |
| Firefighter | $76,620 | $36.84 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $79,720 | $38.33 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $107,000 | $51.44 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $113,990 | $54.80 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $99,560 | $47.87 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Missoula, MT
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 Missoula, MT?
The median salary for security guards in the Missoula, MT metro area is $36,750 a year, or $17.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Missoula, MT?
The top 10% of security guards in the Missoula, MT metro area earn at least $47,430 a year. The top 25% earn $40,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Missoula, MT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,570 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $34,430 or less.
How many security guards work in Missoula, MT?
About 220 security guards are employed in the Missoula, MT metro area, not counting the self-employed.