Security Guard salary in Salem, OR
Security Guards in the Salem, OR metro area earn a median of $46,150 a year ($22.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,030 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,770 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 1% higher than the Oregon statewide median of $45,500. There are 5.5 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $47,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Salem, OR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,210 | $17.41 |
| 25th percentile | $39,480 | $18.98 |
| Median | $46,150 | $22.19 |
| 75th percentile | $55,450 | $26.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,770 | $29.22 |
| Average (mean) | $47,460 | $22.82 |
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 | $3,845.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,922.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,775 |
| Weekly | $887.50 |
| Hourly | $22.19 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $46,820 | 9,110 |
| Corvallis, OR | $45,980 | 160 |
| Medford, OR | $44,250 | 310 |
| Albany, OR | $44,050 | 90 |
| Bend, OR | $43,790 | 350 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $39,750 | 730 |
| Grants Pass, OR | $37,030 | 120 |
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 Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salem, OR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $58,100 | $27.94 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $62,990 | $30.28 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $81,070 | $38.98 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $33,570 | $16.14 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $83,690 | $40.24 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $84,320 | $40.54 |
| Firefighter | $64,900 | $31.20 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $131,940 | $63.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $89,070 | $42.82 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $97,750 | $47.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $70,790 | $34.03 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $97,500 | $46.88 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Salem, OR
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 Salem, OR?
The median salary for security guards in the Salem, OR metro area is $46,150 a year, or $22.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Salem, OR?
The top 10% of security guards in the Salem, OR metro area earn at least $60,770 a year. The top 25% earn $55,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Salem, OR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,210 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $39,480 or less.
How many security guards work in Salem, OR?
About 1,030 security guards are employed in the Salem, OR metro area, not counting the self-employed.