Security Guard Salary in Cedar Rapids, IA
Security Guards in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area earn a median $36,940 a year — 3% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,109 take-home, or $2,592 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Cedar Rapids, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,253
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,290
- Medicare (1.45%)$536
- Iowa income tax$752
- Take-home pay$31,109
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.80% state
Security Guard pay by experience in Cedar Rapids, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,390 | $14.61 | $26,095 | $2,175 |
| 25th percentile | $36,120 | $17.37 | $30,482 | $2,540 |
| Median (50th) | $36,940 | $17.76 | $31,109 | $2,592 |
| 75th percentile | $44,050 | $21.18 | $36,552 | $3,046 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,200 | $23.17 | $39,729 | $3,311 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,940 buys in Cedar Rapids, IA
Prices in Cedar Rapids, IA are 11.0% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 29% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $31,109 take-home pay has the buying power of $34,969 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 about as common in Cedar Rapids, IA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.93).
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Cedar Rapids, IA ranks #41 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 |
| 41 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $36,940 | $31,109 | $34,969 |
*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 Iowa
- Davenport, IA — $36,800
- Des Moines, IA — $37,550
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Cedar Rapids, IA?
The median security guard salary in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area is $36,940 a year, or about $17.76 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,120 and $44,050.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Cedar Rapids, IA?
On the median $36,940 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $31,109 a year ($2,592 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $752 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Cedar Rapids, IA a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 3% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 11.0% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $34,969 would in a typical U.S. city. Cedar Rapids, IA ranks #41 of 224 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Cedar Rapids, IA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Cedar Rapids, IA is $800 a month ($1,049 for two bedrooms) — 31% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Cedar Rapids, IA
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $79,280