Security Guard salary in Tucson, AZ
Security Guards in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median of $36,250 a year ($17.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,450 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,380 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 5% lower than the Arizona statewide median of $38,290. There are 8.9 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Tucson, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,460 | $15.12 |
| 25th percentile | $33,150 | $15.94 |
| Median | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| 75th percentile | $39,220 | $18.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,380 | $24.22 |
| Average (mean) | $38,410 | $18.47 |
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 | $3,020.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,510.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,394.23 |
| Weekly | $697.12 |
| Hourly | $17.43 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $38,290 | 23,160 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $38,200 | 400 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $37,030 | 370 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $36,410 | 310 |
| Yuma, AZ | $36,050 | 520 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $35,860 | 340 |
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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $35,860 | $17.24 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,650 | $16.66 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $32,400 | $15.58 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $45,550 | $21.90 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $64,330 | $30.93 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $50,320 | $24.19 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $41,450 | $19.93 |
| Animal Control Worker | $35,200 | $16.92 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $54,970 | $26.43 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $105,350 | $50.65 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $76,970 | $37.00 |
| Firefighter | $47,960 | $23.06 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $101,570 | $48.83 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $71,590 | $34.42 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Tucson, AZ
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 Tucson, AZ?
The median salary for security guards in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $36,250 a year, or $17.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Tucson, AZ?
The top 10% of security guards in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn at least $50,380 a year. The top 25% earn $39,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Tucson, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,460 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $33,150 or less.
How many security guards work in Tucson, AZ?
About 3,450 security guards are employed in the Tucson, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.