Security Guard salary in Santa Fe, NM
Security Guards in the Santa Fe, NM metro area earn a median of $40,980 a year ($19.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 630 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,600 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 5% lower than the New Mexico statewide median of $43,320. There are 10 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $44,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Santa Fe, NM
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,000 | $15.39 |
| 25th percentile | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| Median | $40,980 | $19.70 |
| 75th percentile | $48,350 | $23.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,600 | $29.14 |
| Average (mean) | $44,130 | $21.22 |
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 | $3,415 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,707.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,576.15 |
| Weekly | $788.08 |
| Hourly | $19.70 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | $44,780 | 4,440 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $37,010 | 650 |
| Farmington, NM | $36,820 | 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 New Mexico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Fe, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $74,640 | $35.89 |
| Firefighter | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $120,030 | $57.71 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $76,230 | $36.65 |
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $68,140 | $32.76 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $46,340 | $22.28 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $52,860 | $25.42 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Santa Fe, NM
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 Santa Fe, NM?
The median salary for security guards in the Santa Fe, NM metro area is $40,980 a year, or $19.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Santa Fe, NM?
The top 10% of security guards in the Santa Fe, NM metro area earn at least $60,600 a year. The top 25% earn $48,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Santa Fe, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,000 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $35,000 or less.
How many security guards work in Santa Fe, NM?
About 630 security guards are employed in the Santa Fe, NM metro area, not counting the self-employed.