Security Guard Salary in Appleton, WI
Security Guards in the Appleton, WI metro area earn a median $36,040 a year — 5% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,333 take-home, or $2,528 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Appleton, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,145
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,234
- Medicare (1.45%)$523
- Wisconsin income tax$805
- Take-home pay$30,333
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Security Guard pay by experience in Appleton, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,410 | $14.62 | $26,057 | $2,171 |
| 25th percentile | $32,050 | $15.41 | $27,303 | $2,275 |
| Median (50th) | $36,040 | $17.33 | $30,333 | $2,528 |
| 75th percentile | $45,730 | $21.99 | $37,693 | $3,141 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,220 | $24.14 | $41,103 | $3,425 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,040 buys in Appleton, WI
Prices in Appleton, WI are 7.6% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 29% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $30,333 take-home pay has the buying power of $32,822 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Security Guard jobs are less concentrated in Appleton, WI than nationally (location quotient 0.53), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Appleton, WI ranks #95 of 224 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Idaho Falls, ID | $78,680 | $61,120 | $64,737 |
| 2 | Kennewick, WA | $54,670 | $46,107 | $46,071 |
| 3 | Lynchburg, VA | $49,480 | $39,906 | $44,656 |
| 4 | Rochester, MN | $47,790 | $38,841 | $42,767 |
| 5 | Albuquerque, NM | $44,780 | $37,202 | $38,937 |
| 6 | Utica, NY | $44,420 | $36,070 | $38,919 |
| 7 | Fayetteville, NC | $42,940 | $35,478 | $38,572 |
| 8 | Omaha, NE | $42,370 | $35,176 | $38,272 |
| 95 | Appleton, WI | $36,040 | $30,333 | $32,822 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 224 metros →
Security Guard salaries elsewhere in Wisconsin
- Green Bay, WI — $40,130
- Oshkosh, WI — $36,330
- Milwaukee, WI — $37,870
- Madison, WI — $38,020
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Appleton, WI?
The median security guard salary in the Appleton, WI metro area is $36,040 a year, or about $17.33 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $32,050 and $45,730.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Appleton, WI?
On the median $36,040 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $30,333 a year ($2,528 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $805 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Appleton, WI a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 5% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 7.6% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $32,822 would in a typical U.S. city. Appleton, WI ranks #95 of 224 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Appleton, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Appleton, WI is $960 a month ($1,236 for two bedrooms) — 38% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.