Security Guard salary in Springfield, MO
Security Guards in the Springfield, MO metro area earn a median of $39,010 a year ($18.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,000 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,760 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 3% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $40,390. There are 4.5 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.54). The average (mean) salary is $48,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Springfield, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,060 | $14.45 |
| 25th percentile | $34,670 | $16.67 |
| Median | $39,010 | $18.76 |
| 75th percentile | $46,040 | $22.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $114,760 | $55.17 |
| Average (mean) | $48,360 | $23.25 |
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 | $3,250.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,625.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,500.38 |
| Weekly | $750.19 |
| Hourly | $18.76 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jefferson City, MO | $44,430 | 350 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $42,600 | 9,720 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $41,810 | 7,730 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $39,180 | 270 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $37,830 | 180 |
| Columbia, MO | $36,950 | 640 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $36,630 | 140 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Springfield, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,120 | $14.00 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $38,690 | $18.60 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $58,460 | $28.11 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $46,940 | $22.57 |
| Firefighter | $44,990 | $21.63 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $85,930 | $41.31 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $63,920 | $30.73 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $61,310 | $29.47 |
| Bailiff | $50,320 | $24.19 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $50,710 | $24.38 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $53,740 | $25.84 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Springfield, MO
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 Springfield, MO?
The median salary for security guards in the Springfield, MO metro area is $39,010 a year, or $18.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Springfield, MO?
The top 10% of security guards in the Springfield, MO metro area earn at least $114,760 a year. The top 25% earn $46,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Springfield, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,060 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $34,670 or less.
How many security guards work in Springfield, MO?
About 1,000 security guards are employed in the Springfield, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.