Security Guard salary in Oregon
Security Guards in Oregon earn a median of $45,500 a year ($21.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 12,200 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,510 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $38,020. Oregon ranks 5th of 51 states for security guards pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 6.2 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $46,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Oregon
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,500 | $17.55 |
| 25th percentile | $39,680 | $19.08 |
| Median | $45,500 | $21.88 |
| 75th percentile | $48,420 | $23.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,510 | $28.13 |
| Average (mean) | $46,420 | $22.32 |
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 | $3,791.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,895.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,750 |
| Weekly | $875 |
| Hourly | $21.88 |
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 Oregon
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $46,820 | 9,110 |
| Salem, OR | $46,150 | 1,030 |
| Corvallis, OR | $45,980 | 160 |
| Medford, OR | $44,250 | 310 |
| Albany, OR | $44,050 | 90 |
| Bend, OR | $43,790 | 350 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $39,750 | 730 |
| Grants Pass, OR | $37,030 | 120 |
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 Oregon
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $47,110 | $22.65 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $49,520 | $23.81 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $35,030 | $16.84 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $76,480 | $36.77 |
| School Bus Monitor | $40,900 | $19.66 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $50,120 | $24.10 |
| Animal Control Worker | $66,130 | $31.79 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $88,140 | $42.38 |
| Firefighter | $70,900 | $34.09 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $83,690 | $40.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $122,130 | $58.72 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $100,260 | $48.20 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $60,940 | $29.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $99,890 | $48.02 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Oregon
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 Oregon?
The median salary for security guards in Oregon is $45,500 a year, or $21.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Oregon?
The top 10% of security guards in Oregon earn at least $58,510 a year. The top 25% earn $48,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Oregon?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,500 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $39,680 or less.
How many security guards work in Oregon?
About 12,200 security guards are employed in Oregon, not counting the self-employed.