Security Guard Salary in Miami, FL
Security Guards in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL metro area earn a median $36,040 a year — 5% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,138 take-home, or $2,595 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Miami, FL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,145
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,234
- Medicare (1.45%)$523
- Florida income tax$0
- Take-home pay$31,138
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Security Guard pay by experience in Miami, FL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,070 | $14.46 | $26,341 | $2,195 |
| 25th percentile | $32,220 | $15.49 | $28,069 | $2,339 |
| Median (50th) | $36,040 | $17.33 | $31,138 | $2,595 |
| 75th percentile | $39,790 | $19.13 | $34,151 | $2,846 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,710 | $21.98 | $38,908 | $3,242 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Florida resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,040 buys in Miami, FL
Prices in Miami, FL are 14.2% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.56× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $31,138 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,277 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Miami, FL has 1.8× the national concentration of security guard jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Miami, FL ranks #222 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 |
| 222 | Miami, FL | $36,040 | $31,138 | $27,277 |
*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 Miami, FL?
The median security guard salary in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL metro area is $36,040 a year, or about $17.33 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $32,220 and $39,790.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Miami, FL?
On the median $36,040 salary, a single filer living in Florida takes home about $31,138 a year ($2,595 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Miami, FL a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 5% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 14.2% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,277 would in a typical U.S. city. Miami, FL ranks #222 of 224 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Miami, FL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Miami, FL is $1,942 a month ($2,359 for two bedrooms) — 75% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Miami, FL
- First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $127,570
- First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — $120,390
- Detective and Criminal Investigator — $99,080
- First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other — $81,370
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $79,840
- Firefighter — $75,710
- First-Line Supervisor of Correctional Officers — $66,860
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $66,770
- Transportation Security Screener — $65,080
- Private Detective and Investigator — $54,720
- Protective Service Workers, All Other — $52,190
- First-Line Supervisor of Security Workers — $47,720