Security Guard salary in Washington
Security Guards in Washington earn a median of $47,100 a year ($22.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 25,800 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,390 for the top 10%. That is 24% higher than the national median of $38,020. Washington ranks 3rd of 51 states for security guards pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 7.3 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $50,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,720 | $18.13 |
| 25th percentile | $42,030 | $20.21 |
| Median | $47,100 | $22.64 |
| 75th percentile | $56,990 | $27.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,390 | $32.88 |
| Average (mean) | $50,770 | $24.41 |
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 | $3,925 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,962.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,811.54 |
| Weekly | $905.77 |
| Hourly | $22.64 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $54,670 | 500 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $48,770 | 60 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $47,490 | 17,030 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $46,820 | 9,110 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $46,090 | 220 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $45,540 | 590 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $45,370 | 140 |
| Bellingham, WA | $44,310 | 380 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $43,920 | 840 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $41,310 | 2,270 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $40,860 | 190 |
| Yakima, WA | $37,440 | 400 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $36,650 | 80 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $37,770 | $18.16 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $42,170 | $20.27 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $48,940 | $23.53 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $64,080 | $30.81 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $45,740 | $21.99 |
| School Bus Monitor | $42,330 | $20.35 |
| Animal Control Worker | $66,440 | $31.94 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $102,080 | $49.08 |
| Firefighter | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $79,460 | $38.20 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $129,350 | $62.19 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $136,280 | $65.52 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $115,790 | $55.67 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $62,510 | $30.05 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for security guards in Washington is $47,100 a year, or $22.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Washington?
The top 10% of security guards in Washington earn at least $68,390 a year. The top 25% earn $56,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,720 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $42,030 or less.
How many security guards work in Washington?
About 25,800 security guards are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.