Security Guard salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Security Guards in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $42,600 a year ($20.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,720 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,590 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 5% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $40,390. There are 7.2 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $45,040, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,460 | $15.61 |
| 25th percentile | $36,450 | $17.52 |
| Median | $42,600 | $20.48 |
| 75th percentile | $48,130 | $23.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,590 | $29.13 |
| Average (mean) | $45,040 | $21.66 |
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 | $3,550 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,775 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,638.46 |
| Weekly | $819.23 |
| Hourly | $20.48 |
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 |
| Springfield, IL | $42,240 | 680 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $41,810 | 7,730 |
| Decatur, IL | $41,220 | 150 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $39,990 | 48,360 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $39,180 | 270 |
| Springfield, MO | $39,010 | 1,000 |
| Peoria, IL | $38,530 | 540 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $37,830 | 180 |
| Rockford, IL | $36,960 | 760 |
| Columbia, MO | $36,950 | 640 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $36,800 | 1,040 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $36,630 | 140 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $36,370 | 170 |
| Bloomington, IL | $35,520 | 470 |
| Kankakee, IL | $35,380 | 310 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $34,250 | 390 |
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 St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,730 | $14.77 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,880 | $16.77 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $62,650 | $30.12 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $42,930 | $20.64 |
| Animal Control Worker | $45,540 | $21.89 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $45,690 | $21.97 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $33,560 | $16.13 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $39,020 | $18.76 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $73,240 | $35.21 |
| Firefighter | $68,970 | $33.16 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,980 | $24.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $99,270 | $47.73 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $93,380 | $44.90 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $80,930 | $38.91 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for security guards in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $42,600 a year, or $20.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of security guards in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $60,590 a year. The top 25% earn $48,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,460 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $36,450 or less.
How many security guards work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 9,720 security guards are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.