Security Guard salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Security Guards in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $47,490 a year ($22.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 17,030 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,040 for the top 10%. That is 25% higher than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 1% higher than the Washington statewide median of $47,100. There are 8.2 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $51,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,990 | $18.74 |
| 25th percentile | $44,460 | $21.37 |
| Median | $47,490 | $22.83 |
| 75th percentile | $57,990 | $27.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,040 | $32.71 |
| Average (mean) | $51,400 | $24.71 |
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 | $3,957.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,978.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,826.54 |
| Weekly | $913.27 |
| Hourly | $22.83 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $54,670 | 500 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $48,770 | 60 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $46,820 | 9,110 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $46,090 | 220 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $45,540 | 590 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $45,370 | 140 |
| Bellingham, WA | $44,310 | 380 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $43,920 | 840 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $41,310 | 2,270 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $40,860 | 190 |
| Yakima, WA | $37,440 | 400 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $36,650 | 80 |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $39,240 | $18.86 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $42,170 | $20.27 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $50,020 | $24.05 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $75,670 | $36.38 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $47,570 | $22.87 |
| School Bus Monitor | $47,170 | $22.68 |
| Animal Control Worker | $78,750 | $37.86 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $115,120 | $55.35 |
| Firefighter | $101,090 | $48.60 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $81,550 | $39.21 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $134,830 | $64.82 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $158,510 | $76.21 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $62,640 | $30.12 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $123,820 | $59.53 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for security guards in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $47,490 a year, or $22.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of security guards in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $68,040 a year. The top 25% earn $57,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,990 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $44,460 or less.
How many security guards work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 17,030 security guards are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.