Security Guard Salary in New Orleans, LA
Security Guards in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn a median $32,240 a year — 15% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $27,504 take-home, or $2,292 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in New Orleans, LA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,689
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,999
- Medicare (1.45%)$467
- Louisiana income tax$581
- Take-home pay$27,504
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.00% state
Security Guard pay by experience in New Orleans, LA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,590 | $11.34 | $20,715 | $1,726 |
| 25th percentile | $30,300 | $14.57 | $26,003 | $2,167 |
| Median (50th) | $32,240 | $15.50 | $27,504 | $2,292 |
| 75th percentile | $38,310 | $18.42 | $32,199 | $2,683 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,990 | $23.55 | $40,460 | $3,372 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Louisiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $32,240 buys in New Orleans, LA
Prices in New Orleans, LA are 7.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 14% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $27,504 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,703 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
New Orleans, LA 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
New Orleans, LA ranks #203 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 |
| 203 | New Orleans, LA | $32,240 | $27,504 | $29,703 |
*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
- Lake Charles, LA — $29,740
- Lafayette, LA — $30,090
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in New Orleans, LA?
The median security guard salary in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area is $32,240 a year, or about $15.50 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $30,300 and $38,310.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in New Orleans, LA?
On the median $32,240 salary, a single filer living in Louisiana takes home about $27,504 a year ($2,292 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $581 in Louisiana taxes in 2026.
Is New Orleans, LA a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 15% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 7.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,703 would in a typical U.S. city. New Orleans, LA ranks #203 of 224 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in New Orleans, LA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in New Orleans, LA is $1,105 a month ($1,323 for two bedrooms) — 48% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in New Orleans, LA
- First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $75,740
- Detective and Criminal Investigator — $62,430
- First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — $61,050
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $48,970
- Protective Service Workers, All Other — $43,480
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $40,490
- Firefighter — $37,250