Security Guards Salary in North Carolina
Security Guards in North Carolina earn a median annual wage of $35,010 —7.9% below the national median of $38,020. That ranks NC #46 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 0.73× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in North Carolina.
Highest-paying states for security guards
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. North Carolina 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 North Carolina
Occupations in the same job family, compared within North Carolina.
| Occupation | North Carolina median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,300 | $76,210 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,550 | $58,940 |
| Firefighters | $37,940 | $59,280 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,310 | $33,580 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $91,100 | $106,040 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $63,280 | $93,790 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do security guards make in North Carolina?
The median annual wage for security guards in North Carolina is $35,010, or $16.83 per hour. That is 7.9% below the national median of $38,020.
What is the entry-level security guards salary in North Carolina?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $29,260 per year ($14.07/hour). The 25th percentile is $30,640.
How many people work as security guards in North Carolina?
About 29,830 people work in this occupation in North Carolina, or 6.0 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is North Carolina a good state for security guards?
North Carolina ranks #46 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.73x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in North Carolina.
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).