Security Guard Salary in Kansas City, MO
Security Guards in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn a median $41,810 a year — 10% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $34,747 take-home, or $2,896 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Kansas City, MO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,837
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,592
- Medicare (1.45%)$606
- Missouri income tax$1,028
- Take-home pay$34,747
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.70% state
Living in Kansas City, MO? City residents also pay Kansas City, MO’s Earnings Tax — about $418 a year on this salary — which lowers take-home pay to $34,328 ($2,861 a month). Choose “Kansas City, MO” under City income tax in the calculator. Suburban residents usually don’t pay it.
The Kansas City, MO-KS metro spans Missouri, Kansas. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Security Guard pay by experience in Kansas City, MO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,540 | $15.16 | $26,977 | $2,248 |
| 25th percentile | $36,300 | $17.45 | $30,578 | $2,548 |
| Median (50th) | $41,810 | $20.10 | $34,747 | $2,896 |
| 75th percentile | $47,890 | $23.02 | $39,346 | $3,279 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,860 | $33.11 | $54,974 | $4,581 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Missouri resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $41,810 buys in Kansas City, MO
Prices in Kansas City, MO are 7.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 13% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $34,747 take-home pay has the buying power of $37,546 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 Kansas City, MO as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.85).
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Kansas City, MO ranks #3 of 77 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albuquerque, NM | $44,780 | $37,202 | $38,937 |
| 2 | Omaha, NE | $42,370 | $35,176 | $38,272 |
| 3 | Kansas City, MO | $41,810 | $34,747 | $37,546 |
| 4 | St. Louis, MO | $42,600 | $35,344 | $37,170 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $47,490 | $40,338 | $36,297 |
| 6 | Rochester, NY | $42,860 | $34,901 | $35,967 |
| 7 | Salt Lake City, UT | $43,260 | $35,959 | $35,649 |
| 8 | Albany, NY | $43,250 | $35,193 | $35,346 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 77 metros →
About the job: security guards
Guard, patrol, or monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules. May operate x-ray and metal detector equipment.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +0.9% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Security Guard salaries elsewhere in Missouri
- St. Louis, MO — $42,600
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Kansas City, MO?
The median security guard salary in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area is $41,810 a year, or about $20.10 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,300 and $47,890.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Kansas City, MO?
On the median $41,810 salary, a single filer living in Missouri takes home about $34,747 a year ($2,896 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,028 in Missouri taxes in 2026.
Is Kansas City, MO a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 10% above the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 7.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $37,546 would in a typical U.S. city. Kansas City, MO ranks #3 of 77 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Kansas City, MO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Kansas City, MO is $1,193 a month ($1,355 for two bedrooms) — 41% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Kansas City, MO
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $62,960
- Firefighter — $60,770