Security Guards Salary in Virginia
Security Guards in Virginia earn a median annual wage of $43,640 —14.8% above the national median of $38,020. That ranks VA #10 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 concentration (1.03×) is close to the national average.
Highest-paying states for security guards
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Virginia 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 Virginia
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Virginia.
| Occupation | Virginia median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $65,870 | $76,210 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,140 | $58,940 |
| Firefighters | $58,670 | $59,280 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,070 | $33,580 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $101,230 | $106,040 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $112,760 | $93,790 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do security guards make in Virginia?
The median annual wage for security guards in Virginia is $43,640, or $20.98 per hour. That is 14.8% above the national median of $38,020.
What is the entry-level security guards salary in Virginia?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $30,990 per year ($14.90/hour). The 25th percentile is $35,990.
How many people work as security guards in Virginia?
About 34,870 people work in this occupation in Virginia, or 8.5 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Virginia a good state for security guards?
Virginia ranks #10 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (1.03x) is close to the national average.
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).