Security Guard Salary in Charleston, WV
Security Guards in the Charleston, WV metro area earn a median $20,800 a year — 45% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $18,256 take-home, or $1,521 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Charleston, WV. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$470
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,290
- Medicare (1.45%)$302
- West Virginia income tax$482
- Take-home pay$18,256
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 2.96% state
Security Guard pay by experience in Charleston, WV
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $20,800 | $10.00 | $18,256 | $1,521 |
| 25th percentile | $20,800 | $10.00 | $18,256 | $1,521 |
| Median (50th) | $20,800 | $10.00 | $18,256 | $1,521 |
| 75th percentile | $33,260 | $15.99 | $28,030 | $2,336 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,060 | $17.82 | $30,957 | $2,580 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, West Virginia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $20,800 buys in Charleston, WV
Prices in Charleston, WV are 11.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 49% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $18,256 take-home pay has the buying power of $20,578 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Charleston, WV has 2.5× the national concentration of security guard jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Charleston, WV ranks #224 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 |
| 224 | Charleston, WV | $20,800 | $18,256 | $20,578 |
*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 West Virginia
- Huntington, WV — $34,800
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Charleston, WV?
The median security guard salary in the Charleston, WV metro area is $20,800 a year, or about $10.00 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $20,800 and $33,260.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Charleston, WV?
On the median $20,800 salary, a single filer living in West Virginia takes home about $18,256 a year ($1,521 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $482 in West Virginia taxes in 2026.
Is Charleston, WV a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 45% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 11.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $20,578 would in a typical U.S. city. Charleston, WV ranks #224 of 224 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Charleston, WV?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Charleston, WV is $813 a month ($1,019 for two bedrooms) — 53% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Charleston, WV
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $57,460