Security Guard salary in Pennsylvania
Security Guards in Pennsylvania earn a median of $37,050 a year ($17.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 43,610 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,830 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pennsylvania ranks 34th of 51 states for security guards pay. There are 7.2 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $40,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,050 | $14.45 |
| 25th percentile | $34,570 | $16.62 |
| Median | $37,050 | $17.81 |
| 75th percentile | $44,300 | $21.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,830 | $26.36 |
| Average (mean) | $40,180 | $19.32 |
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 | $3,087.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,543.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,425 |
| Weekly | $712.50 |
| Hourly | $17.81 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chambersburg, PA | $42,130 | 210 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $39,500 | 130 |
| Reading, PA | $38,960 | 1,050 |
| Lancaster, PA | $38,090 | 880 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $37,880 | 2,320 |
| Lebanon, PA | $37,470 | 130 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $37,450 | 25,460 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $36,020 | 2,570 |
| Altoona, PA | $35,900 | 230 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $35,850 | 9,250 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $35,660 | 830 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $35,160 | 2,070 |
| Erie, PA | $34,530 | 840 |
| Williamsport, PA | $34,440 | 510 |
| State College, PA | $34,290 | 280 |
| Johnstown, PA | $31,320 | 260 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,810 | $17.22 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,480 | $14.17 |
| School Bus Monitor | $35,290 | $16.97 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $67,330 | $32.37 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $51,200 | $24.62 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $38,930 | $18.72 |
| Animal Control Worker | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $85,470 | $41.09 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $63,460 | $30.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $102,400 | $49.23 |
| Firefighter | $73,460 | $35.32 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $97,580 | $46.91 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $47,510 | $22.84 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for security guards in Pennsylvania is $37,050 a year, or $17.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of security guards in Pennsylvania earn at least $54,830 a year. The top 25% earn $44,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,050 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $34,570 or less.
How many security guards work in Pennsylvania?
About 43,610 security guards are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.