Security Guard salary in North Dakota
Security Guards in North Dakota earn a median of $39,310 a year ($18.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,310 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,390 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $38,020. North Dakota ranks 20th of 51 states for security guards pay. There are 3.0 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.37). The average (mean) salary is $43,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in North Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,150 | $14.98 |
| 25th percentile | $34,960 | $16.81 |
| Median | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| 75th percentile | $45,550 | $21.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,390 | $30.96 |
| Average (mean) | $43,150 | $20.74 |
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 | $3,275.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,637.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,511.92 |
| Weekly | $755.96 |
| Hourly | $18.90 |
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 North Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $41,750 | 110 |
| Minot, ND | $39,430 | 80 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $37,770 | 350 |
| Bismarck, ND | $36,130 | 380 |
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 North Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,430 | $13.67 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $53,460 | $25.70 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $54,950 | $26.42 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $46,740 | $22.47 |
| School Bus Monitor | $38,480 | $18.50 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $44,310 | $21.30 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $60,230 | $28.96 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $74,500 | $35.82 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $52,460 | $25.22 |
| Firefighter | $55,080 | $26.48 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $82,290 | $39.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $73,240 | $35.21 |
| Bailiff | $27,560 | $13.25 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in North Dakota
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 North Dakota?
The median salary for security guards in North Dakota is $39,310 a year, or $18.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in North Dakota?
The top 10% of security guards in North Dakota earn at least $64,390 a year. The top 25% earn $45,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in North Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,150 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $34,960 or less.
How many security guards work in North Dakota?
About 1,310 security guards are employed in North Dakota, not counting the self-employed.