Security Guard salary in Morgantown, WV
Security Guards in the Morgantown, WV metro area earn a median of $34,290 a year ($16.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 360 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,850 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 19% higher than the West Virginia statewide median of $28,800. There are 5.3 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $35,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Morgantown, WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,090 | $11.10 |
| 25th percentile | $29,480 | $14.18 |
| Median | $34,290 | $16.49 |
| 75th percentile | $39,200 | $18.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,850 | $23.00 |
| Average (mean) | $35,570 | $17.10 |
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 | $2,857.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,428.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,318.85 |
| Weekly | $659.42 |
| Hourly | $16.49 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $46,830 | 40,950 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $37,900 | 260 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $34,800 | 700 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $33,990 | 760 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $31,230 | 150 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $30,960 | 330 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | $29,730 | 160 |
| Charleston, WV | $20,800 | 2,160 |
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 West Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Morgantown, WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $55,010 | $26.45 |
| Bailiff | $36,940 | $17.76 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $52,120 | $25.06 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Morgantown, WV
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 Morgantown, WV?
The median salary for security guards in the Morgantown, WV metro area is $34,290 a year, or $16.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Morgantown, WV?
The top 10% of security guards in the Morgantown, WV metro area earn at least $47,850 a year. The top 25% earn $39,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Morgantown, WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,090 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $29,480 or less.
How many security guards work in Morgantown, WV?
About 360 security guards are employed in the Morgantown, WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.