Security Guard Salary in Owensboro, KY
Security Guards in the Owensboro, KY metro area earn a median $31,440 a year — 17% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $26,459 take-home, or $2,205 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Owensboro, KY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,593
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,949
- Medicare (1.45%)$456
- Kentucky income tax$983
- Take-home pay$26,459
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.50% state
Security Guard pay by experience in Owensboro, KY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,980 | $14.41 | $25,337 | $2,111 |
| 25th percentile | $31,440 | $15.12 | $26,459 | $2,205 |
| Median (50th) | $31,440 | $15.12 | $26,459 | $2,205 |
| 75th percentile | $36,750 | $17.67 | $30,540 | $2,545 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,170 | $23.64 | $40,085 | $3,340 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Kentucky resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $31,440 buys in Owensboro, KY
Prices in Owensboro, KY are 11.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 44% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $26,459 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,860 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Owensboro, KY has 1.4× 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
Owensboro, KY ranks #199 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 |
| 199 | Owensboro, KY | $31,440 | $26,459 | $29,860 |
*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
- Lexington, KY — $35,400
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Owensboro, KY?
The median security guard salary in the Owensboro, KY metro area is $31,440 a year, or about $15.12 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $31,440 and $36,750.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Owensboro, KY?
On the median $31,440 salary, a single filer living in Kentucky takes home about $26,459 a year ($2,205 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $983 in Kentucky taxes in 2026.
Is Owensboro, KY a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 17% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 11.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,860 would in a typical U.S. city. Owensboro, KY ranks #199 of 224 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Owensboro, KY?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Owensboro, KY is $846 a month ($1,110 for two bedrooms) — 38% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.