Security Guard salary in Nevada
Security Guards in Nevada earn a median of $37,310 a year ($17.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 26,680 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,340 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $38,020. Nevada ranks 29th of 51 states for security guards pay. There are 17 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $39,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Nevada
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,140 | $14.01 |
| 25th percentile | $34,610 | $16.64 |
| Median | $37,310 | $17.94 |
| 75th percentile | $44,600 | $21.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,340 | $23.24 |
| Average (mean) | $39,770 | $19.12 |
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 | $3,109.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,554.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,435 |
| Weekly | $717.50 |
| Hourly | $17.94 |
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 Nevada
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Carson City, NV | $43,640 | 120 |
| Reno, NV | $39,370 | 1,900 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $37,210 | 23,800 |
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 Nevada
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,830 | $14.82 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $31,480 | $15.13 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $64,500 | $31.01 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $54,790 | $26.34 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $46,570 | $22.39 |
| School Bus Monitor | $29,230 | $14.05 |
| Animal Control Worker | $58,810 | $28.27 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $78,140 | $37.57 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $76,490 | $36.77 |
| Firefighter | $66,570 | $32.01 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $53,210 | $25.58 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $132,100 | $63.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $93,920 | $45.15 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $94,470 | $45.42 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Nevada
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 Nevada?
The median salary for security guards in Nevada is $37,310 a year, or $17.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Nevada?
The top 10% of security guards in Nevada earn at least $48,340 a year. The top 25% earn $44,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Nevada?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,140 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $34,610 or less.
How many security guards work in Nevada?
About 26,680 security guards are employed in Nevada, not counting the self-employed.