Security Guard salary in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
Security Guards in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn a median of $32,240 a year ($15.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,650 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,990 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is about the same as the Louisiana statewide median of $32,240. There are 15 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $36,440, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,590 | $11.34 |
| 25th percentile | $30,300 | $14.57 |
| Median | $32,240 | $15.50 |
| 75th percentile | $38,310 | $18.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,990 | $23.56 |
| Average (mean) | $36,440 | $17.52 |
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 | $2,686.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,343.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,240 |
| Weekly | $620 |
| Hourly | $15.50 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | $36,500 | 2,810 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $34,260 | 400 |
| Hammond, LA | $30,880 | n/a |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $30,720 | 1,130 |
| Lafayette, LA | $30,090 | 900 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $29,740 | 870 |
| Alexandria, LA | $29,430 | 410 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $29,040 | 410 |
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $43,480 | $20.91 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $43,500 | $20.91 |
| School Bus Monitor | $25,070 | $12.05 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $24,960 | $12.00 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $31,090 | $14.95 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $36,130 | $17.37 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $48,970 | $23.54 |
| Firefighter | $37,250 | $17.91 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $75,740 | $36.41 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $40,490 | $19.47 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $62,430 | $30.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $61,050 | $29.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $52,000 | $25.00 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
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 Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The median salary for security guards in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area is $32,240 a year, or $15.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The top 10% of security guards in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn at least $48,990 a year. The top 25% earn $38,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,590 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $30,300 or less.
How many security guards work in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
About 6,650 security guards are employed in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.