Security Guard salary in West Virginia
Security Guards in West Virginia earn a median of $28,800 a year ($13.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,200 workers.
Pay ranges from $20,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,370 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $38,020. West Virginia ranks 51st of 51 states for security guards pay. There are 7.4 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $31,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $20,800 | $10.00 |
| 25th percentile | $20,800 | $10.00 |
| Median | $28,800 | $13.85 |
| 75th percentile | $35,990 | $17.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,370 | $22.78 |
| Average (mean) | $31,320 | $15.06 |
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 | $2,400 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,200 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,107.69 |
| Weekly | $553.85 |
| Hourly | $13.85 |
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 West Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $46,830 | 40,950 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $37,900 | 260 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $34,800 | 700 |
| Morgantown, WV | $34,290 | 360 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $33,990 | 760 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $31,230 | 150 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $30,960 | 330 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | $29,730 | 160 |
| Charleston, WV | $20,800 | 2,160 |
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 West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $32,800 | $15.77 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $24,670 | $11.86 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $46,410 | $22.31 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $43,700 | $21.01 |
| Animal Control Worker | $35,120 | $16.89 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $35,150 | $16.90 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $52,890 | $25.43 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $56,960 | $27.39 |
| Firefighter | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $74,280 | $35.71 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $45,850 | $22.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $56,490 | $27.16 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $92,410 | $44.43 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in West Virginia
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 West Virginia?
The median salary for security guards in West Virginia is $28,800 a year, or $13.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $20,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of security guards in West Virginia earn at least $47,370 a year. The top 25% earn $35,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $20,800 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $20,800 or less.
How many security guards work in West Virginia?
About 5,200 security guards are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.