Security Guard Salary in Hickory, NC
Security Guards in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median $31,860 a year — 16% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $27,017 take-home, or $2,251 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Hickory, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,643
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,975
- Medicare (1.45%)$462
- North Carolina income tax$762
- Take-home pay$27,017
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
Security Guard pay by experience in Hickory, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,880 | $11.48 | $20,831 | $1,736 |
| 25th percentile | $28,920 | $13.90 | $24,772 | $2,064 |
| Median (50th) | $31,860 | $15.32 | $27,017 | $2,251 |
| 75th percentile | $41,340 | $19.88 | $34,256 | $2,855 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,150 | $27.96 | $47,092 | $3,924 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $31,860 buys in Hickory, NC
Prices in Hickory, NC are 11.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 40% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $27,017 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,533 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 Hickory, NC than nationally (location quotient 0.44), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Hickory, NC ranks #180 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 |
| 180 | Hickory, NC | $31,860 | $27,017 | $30,533 |
*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 North Carolina
- Fayetteville, NC — $42,940
- Durham, NC — $38,530
- Winston, NC — $36,040
- Wilmington, NC — $36,960
- Asheville, NC — $36,820
- Greensboro, NC — $33,430
- Charlotte, NC — $35,010
- Raleigh, NC — $34,680
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Hickory, NC?
The median security guard salary in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $31,860 a year, or about $15.32 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $28,920 and $41,340.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Hickory, NC?
On the median $31,860 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $27,017 a year ($2,251 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $762 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Hickory, NC a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 16% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 11.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,533 would in a typical U.S. city. Hickory, NC ranks #180 of 224 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Hickory, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Hickory, NC is $908 a month ($1,095 for two bedrooms) — 40% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Hickory, NC
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $52,260
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $48,940
- Firefighter — $36,340