Security Guard salary in Montana
Security Guards in Montana earn a median of $38,480 a year ($18.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,610 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,310 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $38,020. Montana ranks 24th of 51 states for security guards pay. There are 3.1 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.38). The average (mean) salary is $42,270, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,800 | $13.85 |
| 25th percentile | $35,260 | $16.95 |
| Median | $38,480 | $18.50 |
| 75th percentile | $46,300 | $22.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,310 | $27.55 |
| Average (mean) | $42,270 | $20.32 |
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 | $3,206.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,603.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,480 |
| Weekly | $740 |
| Hourly | $18.50 |
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 Montana
| 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 |
| Missoula, MT | $36,750 | 220 |
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 Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation Security Screener | $54,770 | $26.33 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $41,660 | $20.03 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,740 | $16.70 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $32,600 | $15.67 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $47,430 | $22.80 |
| Animal Control Worker | $50,530 | $24.29 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $70,050 | $33.68 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $49,180 | $23.64 |
| Firefighter | $59,310 | $28.52 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $92,410 | $44.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $89,380 | $42.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $82,820 | $39.82 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $74,630 | $35.88 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for security guards in Montana is $38,480 a year, or $18.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Montana?
The top 10% of security guards in Montana earn at least $57,310 a year. The top 25% earn $46,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,800 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $35,260 or less.
How many security guards work in Montana?
About 1,610 security guards are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.