Security Guard salary in Rhode Island
Security Guards in Rhode Island earn a median of $36,940 a year ($17.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,160 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,520 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $38,020. Rhode Island ranks 35th of 51 states for security guards pay. There are 6.3 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $40,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $34,370 | $16.52 |
| Median | $36,940 | $17.76 |
| 75th percentile | $44,510 | $21.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,520 | $23.33 |
| Average (mean) | $40,320 | $19.39 |
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 | $3,078.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,539.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,420.77 |
| Weekly | $710.38 |
| Hourly | $17.76 |
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 Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $38,120 | 4,270 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $35,770 | $17.20 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $71,510 | $34.38 |
| Animal Control Worker | $55,060 | $26.47 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $54,620 | $26.26 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $54,630 | $26.27 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| School Bus Monitor | $35,910 | $17.27 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $77,230 | $37.13 |
| Firefighter | $67,380 | $32.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $97,690 | $46.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $85,170 | $40.95 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $88,450 | $42.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $51,090 | $24.56 |
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $78,100 | $37.55 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for security guards in Rhode Island is $36,940 a year, or $17.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of security guards in Rhode Island earn at least $48,520 a year. The top 25% earn $44,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $34,370 or less.
How many security guards work in Rhode Island?
About 3,160 security guards are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.