Security Guard Salary in Farmington, NM
Security Guards in the Farmington, NM metro area earn a median $36,820 a year — 3% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,149 take-home, or $2,596 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Farmington, NM. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,238
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,283
- Medicare (1.45%)$534
- New Mexico income tax$616
- Take-home pay$31,149
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.30% state
Security Guard pay by experience in Farmington, NM
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,960 | $12.00 | $21,975 | $1,831 |
| 25th percentile | $30,220 | $14.53 | $26,103 | $2,175 |
| Median (50th) | $36,820 | $17.70 | $31,149 | $2,596 |
| 75th percentile | $45,710 | $21.98 | $37,910 | $3,159 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,540 | $30.07 | $50,657 | $4,221 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New Mexico resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,820 buys in Farmington, NM
Prices in Farmington, NM are 12.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 43% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $31,149 take-home pay has the buying power of $35,515 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Farmington, NM 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
Farmington, NM ranks #32 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 |
| 32 | Farmington, NM | $36,820 | $31,149 | $35,515 |
*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 New Mexico
- Albuquerque, NM — $44,780
- Santa Fe, NM — $40,980
- Las Cruces, NM — $37,010
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Farmington, NM?
The median security guard salary in the Farmington, NM metro area is $36,820 a year, or about $17.70 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $30,220 and $45,710.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Farmington, NM?
On the median $36,820 salary, a single filer living in New Mexico takes home about $31,149 a year ($2,596 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $616 in New Mexico taxes in 2026.
Is Farmington, NM a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 3% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 12.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $35,515 would in a typical U.S. city. Farmington, NM ranks #32 of 224 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Farmington, NM?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Farmington, NM is $885 a month ($1,085 for two bedrooms) — 34% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.