Security Guard Salary in Chicago, IL
Security Guards in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $39,990 a year — 5% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $32,477 take-home, or $2,706 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,619
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,479
- Medicare (1.45%)$580
- Illinois income tax$1,835
- Take-home pay$32,477
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Security Guard pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,940 | $17.28 | $29,424 | $2,452 |
| 25th percentile | $37,060 | $17.82 | $30,268 | $2,522 |
| Median (50th) | $39,990 | $19.23 | $32,477 | $2,706 |
| 75th percentile | $46,360 | $22.29 | $37,280 | $3,107 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,180 | $30.86 | $50,717 | $4,226 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $39,990 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $32,477 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,350 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chicago, IL has 1.3× 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
Chicago, IL ranks #147 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 |
| 147 | Chicago, IL | $39,990 | $32,477 | $31,350 |
*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 Illinois
- Springfield, IL — $42,240
- Peoria, IL — $38,530
- Rockford, IL — $36,960
- Bloomington, IL — $35,520
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Chicago, IL?
The median security guard salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $39,990 a year, or about $19.23 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $37,060 and $46,360.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $39,990 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $32,477 a year ($2,706 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,835 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 5% above the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,350 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #147 of 224 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 57% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
- First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $135,080
- First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — $126,200
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $107,810
- First-Line Supervisor of Correctional Officers — $105,450
- Detective and Criminal Investigator — $102,260
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $84,550
- Firefighter — $82,820
- Transportation Security Screener — $70,570
- Private Detective and Investigator — $68,310
- First-Line Supervisor of Security Workers — $58,990
- Bailiff — $50,660
- Crossing Guard and Flagger — $38,990