Security Guard Salary in Lakeland, FL
Security Guards in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn a median $34,550 a year — 9% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,941 take-home, or $2,495 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Lakeland, FL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,966
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,142
- Medicare (1.45%)$501
- Florida income tax$0
- Take-home pay$29,941
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Security Guard pay by experience in Lakeland, FL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,240 | $13.58 | $24,866 | $2,072 |
| 25th percentile | $30,740 | $14.78 | $26,880 | $2,240 |
| Median (50th) | $34,550 | $16.61 | $29,941 | $2,495 |
| 75th percentile | $37,410 | $17.99 | $32,239 | $2,687 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,290 | $21.77 | $38,571 | $3,214 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Florida resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $34,550 buys in Lakeland, FL
Prices in Lakeland, FL are 2.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 4% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $29,941 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,822 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 less concentrated in Lakeland, FL than nationally (location quotient 0.61), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Lakeland, FL ranks #171 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 |
| 171 | Lakeland, FL | $34,550 | $29,941 | $30,822 |
*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 Florida
- Crestview, FL — $37,140
- Naples, FL — $39,450
- Tallahassee, FL — $33,930
- Panama City, FL — $35,060
- North Port, FL — $37,040
- Pensacola, FL — $34,950
- Tampa, FL — $36,010
- Palm Bay, FL — $35,650
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Lakeland, FL?
The median security guard salary in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area is $34,550 a year, or about $16.61 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $30,740 and $37,410.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Lakeland, FL?
On the median $34,550 salary, a single filer living in Florida takes home about $29,941 a year ($2,495 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Lakeland, FL a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 9% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 2.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,822 would in a typical U.S. city. Lakeland, FL ranks #171 of 224 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Lakeland, FL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Lakeland, FL is $1,230 a month ($1,497 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 Lakeland, FL
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $66,700
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $49,280
- Firefighter — $48,560