Security Guard salary in Omaha, NE-IA
Security Guards in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area earn a median of $42,370 a year ($20.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,170 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,110 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 6% higher than the Nebraska statewide median of $39,840. There are 6.4 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $46,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Omaha, NE-IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,740 | $17.18 |
| 25th percentile | $37,820 | $18.18 |
| Median | $42,370 | $20.37 |
| 75th percentile | $47,400 | $22.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,110 | $36.59 |
| Average (mean) | $46,340 | $22.28 |
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 | $3,530.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,765.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,629.62 |
| Weekly | $814.81 |
| Hourly | $20.37 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | $39,540 | 270 |
| Grand Island, NE | $38,850 | 90 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $38,670 | 380 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $38,480 | 350 |
| Dubuque, IA | $37,620 | 170 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $37,550 | 2,360 |
| Ames, IA | $37,430 | 260 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $36,940 | 1,070 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $36,800 | 1,040 |
| Lincoln, NE | $36,700 | 710 |
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 Nebraska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Omaha, NE-IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,300 | $14.09 |
| School Bus Monitor | $33,930 | $16.31 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,710 | $29.67 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $44,100 | $21.20 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $48,530 | $23.33 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $80,280 | $38.60 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $63,380 | $30.47 |
| Firefighter | $61,040 | $29.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $106,100 | $51.01 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $45,700 | $21.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $73,540 | $35.36 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $105,310 | $50.63 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $90,850 | $43.68 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $77,150 | $37.09 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Omaha, NE-IA
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 Omaha, NE-IA?
The median salary for security guards in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area is $42,370 a year, or $20.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Omaha, NE-IA?
The top 10% of security guards in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area earn at least $76,110 a year. The top 25% earn $47,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Omaha, NE-IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,740 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $37,820 or less.
How many security guards work in Omaha, NE-IA?
About 3,170 security guards are employed in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.