Security Guard Salary in Indianapolis, IN
Security Guards in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn a median $36,490 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,453 take-home, or $2,538 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Indianapolis, IN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,199
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,262
- Medicare (1.45%)$529
- Indiana income tax$1,047
- Take-home pay$30,453
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.95% state
Security Guard pay by experience in Indianapolis, IN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,250 | $14.54 | $25,623 | $2,135 |
| 25th percentile | $31,230 | $15.01 | $26,382 | $2,198 |
| Median (50th) | $36,490 | $17.54 | $30,453 | $2,538 |
| 75th percentile | $43,610 | $20.97 | $35,964 | $2,997 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,380 | $28.55 | $48,170 | $4,014 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Indiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,490 buys in Indianapolis, IN
Prices in Indianapolis, IN are 4.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 11% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $30,453 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,822 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 about as common in Indianapolis, IN as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.09).
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Indianapolis, IN ranks #132 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 |
| 132 | Indianapolis, IN | $36,490 | $30,453 | $31,822 |
*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
- Elkhart, IN — $36,510
- South Bend, IN — $36,090
- Lafayette, IN — $36,230
- Fort Wayne, IN — $35,140
- Bloomington, IN — $35,510
- Evansville, IN — $34,010
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Indianapolis, IN?
The median security guard salary in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area is $36,490 a year, or about $17.54 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $31,230 and $43,610.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Indianapolis, IN?
On the median $36,490 salary, a single filer living in Indiana takes home about $30,453 a year ($2,538 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,047 in Indiana taxes in 2026.
Is Indianapolis, IN a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 4.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,822 would in a typical U.S. city. Indianapolis, IN ranks #132 of 224 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Indianapolis, IN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Indianapolis, IN is $1,242 a month ($1,454 for two bedrooms) — 49% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Indianapolis, IN
- First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — $98,890
- First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $97,590
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $83,110
- Detective and Criminal Investigator — $76,730
- Firefighter — $68,480
- First-Line Supervisor of Security Workers — $65,060
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $48,340
- Crossing Guard and Flagger — $36,450
- School Bus Monitor — $33,590
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $28,810