Security Guard salary in New Jersey
Security Guards in New Jersey earn a median of $38,880 a year ($18.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 41,540 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,420 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $38,020. New Jersey ranks 23rd of 51 states for security guards pay. There are 9.7 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,230 | $15.50 |
| 25th percentile | $34,770 | $16.71 |
| Median | $38,880 | $18.69 |
| 75th percentile | $48,120 | $23.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,420 | $29.05 |
| Average (mean) | $43,520 | $20.92 |
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 | $3,240 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,620 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,495.38 |
| Weekly | $747.69 |
| Hourly | $18.69 |
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 New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $43,980 | 142,760 |
| Vineland, NJ | $40,260 | 390 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $39,900 | 2,870 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $37,450 | 25,460 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $36,020 | 2,570 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $34,980 | 3,110 |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,100 | $17.35 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $34,760 | $16.71 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $54,950 | $26.42 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $74,400 | $35.77 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $54,710 | $26.31 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $48,620 | $23.37 |
| Animal Control Worker | $52,050 | $25.03 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $92,610 | $44.53 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $142,990 | $68.75 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $94,770 | $45.56 |
| Firefighter | $84,130 | $40.45 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $116,300 | $55.92 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $133,210 | $64.04 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for security guards in New Jersey is $38,880 a year, or $18.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of security guards in New Jersey earn at least $60,420 a year. The top 25% earn $48,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,230 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $34,770 or less.
How many security guards work in New Jersey?
About 41,540 security guards are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.