Security Guard Salary in Lexington, KY
Security Guards in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn a median $35,400 a year — 7% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,503 take-home, or $2,459 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Lexington, KY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,068
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,195
- Medicare (1.45%)$513
- Kentucky income tax$1,121
- Take-home pay$29,503
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.50% state
Security Guard pay by experience in Lexington, KY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,310 | $13.61 | $24,050 | $2,004 |
| 25th percentile | $33,990 | $16.34 | $28,419 | $2,368 |
| Median (50th) | $35,400 | $17.02 | $29,503 | $2,459 |
| 75th percentile | $37,140 | $17.86 | $30,840 | $2,570 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,850 | $23.00 | $39,070 | $3,256 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Kentucky resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $35,400 buys in Lexington, KY
Prices in Lexington, KY are 7.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 23% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $29,503 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,761 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 Lexington, KY as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.08).
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Lexington, KY ranks #134 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 |
| 134 | Lexington, KY | $35,400 | $29,503 | $31,761 |
*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 Kentucky
- Louisville, KY — $36,420
- Owensboro, KY — $31,440
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Lexington, KY?
The median security guard salary in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $35,400 a year, or about $17.02 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $33,990 and $37,140.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Lexington, KY?
On the median $35,400 salary, a single filer living in Kentucky takes home about $29,503 a year ($2,459 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,121 in Kentucky taxes in 2026.
Is Lexington, KY a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 7% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 7.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,761 would in a typical U.S. city. Lexington, KY ranks #134 of 224 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Lexington, KY?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Lexington, KY is $1,079 a month ($1,272 for two bedrooms) — 44% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Lexington, KY
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $61,720
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $51,510
- Firefighter — $36,490