Security Guard salary in Puerto Rico
Security Guards in Puerto Rico earn a median of $21,840 a year ($10.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 26,100 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $22,890 for the top 10%. That is 43% lower than the national median of $38,020. There are 28 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $22,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Puerto Rico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| 25th percentile | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| Median | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| 75th percentile | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $22,890 | $11.00 |
| Average (mean) | $22,590 | $10.86 |
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 | $1,820 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $910 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $840 |
| Weekly | $420 |
| Hourly | $10.50 |
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 Puerto Rico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Arecibo, PR | $22,080 | 310 |
| Aguadilla, PR | $21,840 | 610 |
| Mayaguez, PR | $21,840 | 690 |
| Ponce, PR | $21,840 | 600 |
| San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | $21,840 | 22,420 |
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 Puerto Rico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $26,680 | $12.83 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $22,950 | $11.03 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $42,190 | $20.29 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $31,460 | $15.12 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $45,510 | $21.88 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $36,030 | $17.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $50,300 | $24.19 |
| Firefighter | $37,120 | $17.85 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $22,640 | $10.89 |
| Bailiff | $37,770 | $18.16 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $70,760 | $34.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $48,640 | $23.39 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Puerto Rico
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 Puerto Rico?
The median salary for security guards in Puerto Rico is $21,840 a year, or $10.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $22,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Puerto Rico?
The top 10% of security guards in Puerto Rico earn at least $22,890 a year. The top 25% earn $21,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Puerto Rico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,840 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $21,840 or less.
How many security guards work in Puerto Rico?
About 26,100 security guards are employed in Puerto Rico, not counting the self-employed.