Security Guard salary in Missouri
Security Guards in Missouri earn a median of $40,390 a year ($19.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 18,630 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,860 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $38,020. Missouri ranks 16th of 51 states for security guards pay. There are 6.3 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $45,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,040 | $14.93 |
| 25th percentile | $36,040 | $17.33 |
| Median | $40,390 | $19.42 |
| 75th percentile | $48,020 | $23.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,860 | $33.10 |
| Average (mean) | $45,100 | $21.68 |
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 | $3,365.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,682.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,553.46 |
| Weekly | $776.73 |
| Hourly | $19.42 |
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 Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Jefferson City, MO | $44,430 | 350 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $42,600 | 9,720 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $41,810 | 7,730 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $39,180 | 270 |
| Springfield, MO | $39,010 | 1,000 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $37,830 | 180 |
| Columbia, MO | $36,950 | 640 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $36,630 | 140 |
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 Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,260 | $14.07 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,220 | $16.45 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $51,210 | $24.62 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Animal Control Worker | $41,760 | $20.08 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $49,290 | $23.70 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $38,860 | $18.68 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $33,560 | $16.13 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,460 | $28.59 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $42,620 | $20.49 |
| Firefighter | $49,080 | $23.60 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $94,440 | $45.41 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $75,970 | $36.53 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $75,650 | $36.37 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median salary for security guards in Missouri is $40,390 a year, or $19.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Missouri?
The top 10% of security guards in Missouri earn at least $68,860 a year. The top 25% earn $48,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,040 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $36,040 or less.
How many security guards work in Missouri?
About 18,630 security guards are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.