Security Guard Salary in Lake Charles, LA
Security Guards in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median $29,740 a year — 22% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $25,570 take-home, or $2,131 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Lake Charles, LA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,389
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,844
- Medicare (1.45%)$431
- Louisiana income tax$506
- Take-home pay$25,570
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.00% state
Security Guard pay by experience in Lake Charles, LA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,620 | $10.39 | $19,152 | $1,596 |
| 25th percentile | $28,700 | $13.80 | $24,766 | $2,064 |
| Median (50th) | $29,740 | $14.30 | $25,570 | $2,131 |
| 75th percentile | $34,910 | $16.78 | $29,569 | $2,464 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,530 | $23.33 | $40,104 | $3,342 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Louisiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $29,740 buys in Lake Charles, LA
Prices in Lake Charles, LA are 14.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 48% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $25,570 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,784 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 Lake Charles, LA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.03).
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Lake Charles, LA ranks #200 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 |
| 200 | Lake Charles, LA | $29,740 | $25,570 | $29,784 |
*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 Louisiana
- Baton Rouge, LA — $36,500
- Shreveport, LA — $30,720
- New Orleans, LA — $32,240
- Lafayette, LA — $30,090
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Lake Charles, LA?
The median security guard salary in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $29,740 a year, or about $14.30 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $28,700 and $34,910.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Lake Charles, LA?
On the median $29,740 salary, a single filer living in Louisiana takes home about $25,570 a year ($2,131 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $506 in Louisiana taxes in 2026.
Is Lake Charles, LA a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 22% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 14.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,784 would in a typical U.S. city. Lake Charles, LA ranks #200 of 224 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Lake Charles, LA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Lake Charles, LA is $894 a month ($1,172 for two bedrooms) — 42% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Lake Charles, LA
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $56,290