Security Guard salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
Security Guards in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median of $38,290 a year ($18.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 23,160 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,290 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is about the same as the Arizona statewide median of $38,290. There are 9.7 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $41,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,190 | $15.96 |
| 25th percentile | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| Median | $38,290 | $18.41 |
| 75th percentile | $44,260 | $21.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,290 | $26.58 |
| Average (mean) | $41,580 | $19.99 |
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 | $3,190.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,595.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,472.69 |
| Weekly | $736.35 |
| Hourly | $18.41 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff, AZ | $38,200 | 400 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $37,030 | 370 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $36,410 | 310 |
| Tucson, AZ | $36,250 | 3,450 |
| Yuma, AZ | $36,050 | 520 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $35,860 | 340 |
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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $34,830 | $16.75 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $37,530 | $18.04 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,920 | $30.73 |
| School Bus Monitor | $35,040 | $16.85 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $64,400 | $30.96 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $51,770 | $24.89 |
| Animal Control Worker | $48,830 | $23.48 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $57,280 | $27.54 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $85,050 | $40.89 |
| Firefighter | $61,780 | $29.70 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $103,010 | $49.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $114,520 | $55.06 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $59,700 | $28.70 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $98,860 | $47.53 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
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 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The median salary for security guards in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $38,290 a year, or $18.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The top 10% of security guards in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn at least $55,290 a year. The top 25% earn $44,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,190 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $36,250 or less.
How many security guards work in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
About 23,160 security guards are employed in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.