Security Guards Salary in Wisconsin
Security Guards in Wisconsin earn a median annual wage of $37,440 —1.5% below the national median of $38,020. That ranks WI #28 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 0.50× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Wisconsin.
Highest-paying states for security guards
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Wisconsin.
| Occupation | Wisconsin median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $78,090 | $76,210 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $73,470 | $58,940 |
| Firefighters | $46,850 | $59,280 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,570 | $33,580 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $97,120 | $106,040 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $91,040 | $93,790 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do security guards make in Wisconsin?
The median annual wage for security guards in Wisconsin is $37,440, or $18.00 per hour. That is 1.5% below the national median of $38,020.
What is the entry-level security guards salary in Wisconsin?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $30,410 per year ($14.62/hour). The 25th percentile is $35,030.
How many people work as security guards in Wisconsin?
About 12,030 people work in this occupation in Wisconsin, or 4.1 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Wisconsin a good state for security guards?
Wisconsin ranks #28 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.50x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in Wisconsin.
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).