Security Guards Salary in Missouri
Security Guards in Missouri earn a median annual wage of $40,390 —6.2% above the national median of $38,020. That ranks MO #16 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.77× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Missouri.
Highest-paying states for security guards
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Missouri is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $64,210 | $30.87 | 15,880 | 2.74 |
| 2 | Alaska | $47,480 | $22.83 | 2,100 | 0.78 |
| 3 | Washington | $47,100 | $22.64 | 25,800 | 0.88 |
| 4 | Vermont | $45,550 | $21.90 | 930 | 0.37 |
| 5 | Oregon | $45,500 | $21.88 | 12,200 | 0.75 |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $45,200 | $21.73 | 2,450 | 0.43 |
| 7 | Colorado | $45,150 | $21.71 | 16,890 | 0.71 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $44,670 | $21.48 | 23,930 | 0.80 |
| 9 | New York | $44,240 | $21.27 | 134,700 | 1.68 |
| 10 | Virginia | $43,640 | $20.98 | 34,870 | 1.03 |
Related occupations in Missouri
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Missouri.
| Occupation | Missouri median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,460 | $76,210 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $42,620 | $58,940 |
| Firefighters | $49,080 | $59,280 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,260 | $33,580 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $94,440 | $106,040 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $75,650 | $93,790 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do security guards make in Missouri?
The median annual wage for security guards in Missouri is $40,390, or $19.42 per hour. That is 6.2% above the national median of $38,020.
What is the entry-level security guards salary in Missouri?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $31,040 per year ($14.93/hour). The 25th percentile is $36,040.
How many people work as security guards in Missouri?
About 18,630 people work in this occupation in Missouri, or 6.3 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Missouri a good state for security guards?
Missouri ranks #16 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.77x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in Missouri.
Which state pays security guards the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage at $64,210 per year, followed by Alaska ($47,480) and Washington ($47,100).