Security Guard Salary in Elkhart, IN
Security Guards in the Elkhart-Goshen, IN metro area earn a median $36,510 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,468 take-home, or $2,539 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Elkhart, IN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,201
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,264
- Medicare (1.45%)$529
- Indiana income tax$1,048
- Take-home pay$30,468
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.95% state
Security Guard pay by experience in Elkhart, IN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,370 | $14.12 | $24,942 | $2,078 |
| 25th percentile | $31,010 | $14.91 | $26,211 | $2,184 |
| Median (50th) | $36,510 | $17.55 | $30,468 | $2,539 |
| 75th percentile | $43,640 | $20.98 | $35,987 | $2,999 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,330 | $28.04 | $47,357 | $3,946 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Indiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,510 buys in Elkhart, IN
Prices in Elkhart, IN are 9.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 36% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $30,468 take-home pay has the buying power of $33,732 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 Elkhart, IN than nationally (location quotient 0.56), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Elkhart, IN ranks #67 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 |
| 67 | Elkhart, IN | $36,510 | $30,468 | $33,732 |
*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 Indiana
- South Bend, IN — $36,090
- Lafayette, IN — $36,230
- Indianapolis, IN — $36,490
- Fort Wayne, IN — $35,140
- Bloomington, IN — $35,510
- Evansville, IN — $34,010
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Elkhart, IN?
The median security guard salary in the Elkhart-Goshen, IN metro area is $36,510 a year, or about $17.55 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $31,010 and $43,640.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Elkhart, IN?
On the median $36,510 salary, a single filer living in Indiana takes home about $30,468 a year ($2,539 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,048 in Indiana taxes in 2026.
Is Elkhart, IN a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 9.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $33,732 would in a typical U.S. city. Elkhart, IN ranks #67 of 224 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Elkhart, IN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Elkhart, IN is $992 a month ($1,183 for two bedrooms) — 39% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.