Security Guard salary in Richmond, VA
Security Guards in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $36,960 a year ($17.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,630 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,990 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 15% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $43,640. There are 7.0 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $42,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,790 | $14.80 |
| 25th percentile | $35,210 | $16.93 |
| Median | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| 75th percentile | $46,040 | $22.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,990 | $29.81 |
| Average (mean) | $42,150 | $20.27 |
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 | $3,080 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,540 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,421.54 |
| Weekly | $710.77 |
| Hourly | $17.77 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lynchburg, VA | $49,480 | 570 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $46,830 | 40,950 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $42,170 | 340 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $41,950 | 170 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $37,900 | 260 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $37,230 | 7,470 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $37,160 | 200 |
| Roanoke, VA | $36,900 | 1,300 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $36,780 | 400 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $36,270 | 500 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,520 | $17.08 |
| School Bus Monitor | $30,420 | $14.63 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $65,960 | $31.71 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $52,430 | $25.21 |
| Animal Control Worker | $49,010 | $23.56 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,590 | $13.74 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $62,720 | $30.15 |
| Firefighter | $60,790 | $29.23 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $51,660 | $24.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $100,260 | $48.20 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $100,210 | $48.18 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $91,080 | $43.79 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $67,440 | $32.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $62,510 | $30.06 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for security guards in the Richmond, VA metro area is $36,960 a year, or $17.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of security guards in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $61,990 a year. The top 25% earn $46,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,790 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $35,210 or less.
How many security guards work in Richmond, VA?
About 4,630 security guards are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.