Security Guard salary in New Mexico
Security Guards in New Mexico earn a median of $43,320 a year ($20.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,410 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,840 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $38,020. New Mexico ranks 12th 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 $46,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,220 | $14.53 |
| 25th percentile | $35,570 | $17.10 |
| Median | $43,320 | $20.83 |
| 75th percentile | $53,530 | $25.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,840 | $31.17 |
| Average (mean) | $46,300 | $22.26 |
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 | $3,610 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,805 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,666.15 |
| Weekly | $833.08 |
| Hourly | $20.83 |
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 Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | $44,780 | 4,440 |
| Santa Fe, NM | $40,980 | 630 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $37,010 | 650 |
| Farmington, NM | $36,820 | 500 |
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 Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,590 | $13.75 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $64,940 | $31.22 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $31,460 | $15.13 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| Animal Control Worker | $37,800 | $18.17 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,810 | $30.68 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $36,930 | $17.75 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $69,180 | $33.26 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Firefighter | $41,590 | $19.99 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $86,840 | $41.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $92,200 | $44.33 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $58,430 | $28.09 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in New Mexico
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 Mexico?
The median salary for security guards in New Mexico is $43,320 a year, or $20.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of security guards in New Mexico earn at least $64,840 a year. The top 25% earn $53,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,220 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $35,570 or less.
How many security guards work in New Mexico?
About 8,410 security guards are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.