Security Guard salary in Tennessee
Security Guards in Tennessee earn a median of $36,000 a year ($17.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 27,690 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,680 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $38,020. Tennessee ranks 39th of 51 states for security guards pay. There are 8.4 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,500, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,310 | $14.09 |
| 25th percentile | $30,850 | $14.83 |
| Median | $36,000 | $17.31 |
| 75th percentile | $40,620 | $19.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,680 | $24.84 |
| Average (mean) | $38,500 | $18.51 |
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 | $3,000 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,500 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,384.62 |
| Weekly | $692.31 |
| Hourly | $17.31 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Security Guard salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $37,010 | 10,710 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $36,270 | 500 |
| Jackson, TN | $35,960 | 460 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $35,900 | 340 |
| Knoxville, TN | $35,810 | 2,860 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $35,650 | 1,820 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $35,100 | 8,450 |
| Morristown, TN | $30,790 | 70 |
| Cleveland, TN | $30,680 | 100 |
| Johnson City, TN | $27,720 | 570 |
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 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,200 | $13.56 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,960 | $17.29 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $49,360 | $23.73 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $44,100 | $21.20 |
| School Bus Monitor | $27,250 | $13.10 |
| Animal Control Worker | $42,970 | $20.66 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,280 | $28.50 |
| Firefighter | $49,300 | $23.70 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,940 | $24.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $74,770 | $35.95 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $77,920 | $37.46 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $77,090 | $37.06 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $50,830 | $24.44 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for security guards in Tennessee is $36,000 a year, or $17.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of security guards in Tennessee earn at least $51,680 a year. The top 25% earn $40,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,310 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $30,850 or less.
How many security guards work in Tennessee?
About 27,690 security guards are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.