Security Guard salary in Nebraska
Security Guards in Nebraska earn a median of $39,840 a year ($19.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,700 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,310 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $38,020. Nebraska ranks 18th of 51 states for security guards pay. There are 4.6 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.56). The average (mean) salary is $45,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Nebraska
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,020 | $16.36 |
| 25th percentile | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| Median | $39,840 | $19.15 |
| 75th percentile | $47,400 | $22.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,310 | $33.81 |
| Average (mean) | $45,000 | $21.63 |
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 | $3,320 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,660 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,532.31 |
| Weekly | $766.15 |
| Hourly | $19.15 |
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 Nebraska
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $42,370 | 3,170 |
| Grand Island, NE | $38,850 | 90 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $38,480 | 350 |
| Lincoln, NE | $36,700 | 710 |
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 Nebraska
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,100 | $13.99 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,750 | $16.71 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,710 | $29.67 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $51,750 | $24.88 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $37,990 | $18.26 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $47,090 | $22.64 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $74,620 | $35.88 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $63,380 | $30.47 |
| Firefighter | $61,040 | $29.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $106,100 | $51.01 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $80,810 | $38.85 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $45,700 | $21.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $80,490 | $38.70 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $100,530 | $48.33 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Nebraska
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 Nebraska?
The median salary for security guards in Nebraska is $39,840 a year, or $19.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Nebraska?
The top 10% of security guards in Nebraska earn at least $70,310 a year. The top 25% earn $47,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Nebraska?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,020 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $37,150 or less.
How many security guards work in Nebraska?
About 4,700 security guards are employed in Nebraska, not counting the self-employed.