Security Guard salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
Security Guards in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn a median of $34,980 a year ($16.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,110 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,540 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 10% lower than the New Jersey statewide median of $38,880. There are 13 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $41,670, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,220 | $15.49 |
| 25th percentile | $34,110 | $16.40 |
| Median | $34,980 | $16.82 |
| 75th percentile | $47,040 | $22.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,540 | $28.62 |
| Average (mean) | $41,670 | $20.04 |
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 | $2,915 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,457.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,345.38 |
| Weekly | $672.69 |
| Hourly | $16.82 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $43,980 | 142,760 |
| Vineland, NJ | $40,260 | 390 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $39,900 | 2,870 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $37,450 | 25,460 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $36,020 | 2,570 |
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 |
See Security Guard pay in every state or the New Jersey statewide figures.
Related jobs in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| School Bus Monitor | $32,220 | $15.49 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $33,920 | $16.31 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $44,150 | $21.23 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $61,630 | $29.63 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $74,400 | $35.77 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $69,160 | $33.25 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $110,750 | $53.25 |
| Firefighter | $88,090 | $42.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $132,610 | $63.76 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $59,340 | $28.53 |
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $72,290 | $34.76 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
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 Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The median salary for security guards in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area is $34,980 a year, or $16.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The top 10% of security guards in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn at least $59,540 a year. The top 25% earn $47,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,220 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $34,110 or less.
How many security guards work in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
About 3,110 security guards are employed in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area, not counting the self-employed.