Security Guard salary in Reno, NV
Security Guards in the Reno, NV metro area earn a median of $39,370 a year ($18.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,900 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,010 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 6% higher than the Nevada statewide median of $37,310. There are 6.9 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $42,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Reno, NV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,270 | $14.55 |
| 25th percentile | $35,580 | $17.10 |
| Median | $39,370 | $18.93 |
| 75th percentile | $47,460 | $22.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,010 | $26.45 |
| Average (mean) | $42,310 | $20.34 |
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 | $3,280.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,640.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,514.23 |
| Weekly | $757.12 |
| Hourly | $18.93 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Carson City, NV | $43,640 | 120 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $37,210 | 23,800 |
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 Nevada statewide figures.
Related jobs in Reno, NV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $33,640 | $16.17 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $63,250 | $30.41 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,340 | $29.49 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $41,100 | $19.76 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $45,150 | $21.71 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $92,130 | $44.29 |
| Firefighter | $81,360 | $39.12 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $113,340 | $54.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $132,790 | $63.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $60,610 | $29.14 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $107,470 | $51.67 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $74,970 | $36.04 |
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $94,750 | $45.55 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Reno, NV
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 Reno, NV?
The median salary for security guards in the Reno, NV metro area is $39,370 a year, or $18.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Reno, NV?
The top 10% of security guards in the Reno, NV metro area earn at least $55,010 a year. The top 25% earn $47,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Reno, NV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,270 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $35,580 or less.
How many security guards work in Reno, NV?
About 1,900 security guards are employed in the Reno, NV metro area, not counting the self-employed.