Security Guard Salary in Portland, OR
Security Guards in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area earn a median $46,820 a year — 23% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $36,533 take-home, or $3,044 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Portland, OR. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,438
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,903
- Medicare (1.45%)$679
- Oregon income tax$3,267
- Take-home pay$36,533
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 8.75% state
The Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro spans Oregon, Washington. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Security Guard pay by experience in Portland, OR
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,360 | $18.44 | $30,475 | $2,540 |
| 25th percentile | $43,610 | $20.97 | $34,234 | $2,853 |
| Median (50th) | $46,820 | $22.51 | $36,533 | $3,044 |
| 75th percentile | $49,070 | $23.59 | $38,144 | $3,179 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,020 | $28.86 | $45,984 | $3,832 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Oregon resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $46,820 buys in Portland, OR
Prices in Portland, OR are 5.4% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.25× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $36,533 take-home pay has the buying power of $34,654 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 Portland, OR as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.91).
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Portland, OR ranks #48 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 |
| 48 | Portland, OR | $46,820 | $36,533 | $34,654 |
*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 Oregon
- Salem, OR — $46,150
- Eugene, OR — $39,750
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Portland, OR?
The median security guard salary in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area is $46,820 a year, or about $22.51 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $43,610 and $49,070.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Portland, OR?
On the median $46,820 salary, a single filer living in Oregon takes home about $36,533 a year ($3,044 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,267 in Oregon taxes in 2026.
Is Portland, OR a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 23% above the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 5.4% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $34,654 would in a typical U.S. city. Portland, OR ranks #48 of 224 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Portland, OR?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Portland, OR is $1,677 a month ($1,922 for two bedrooms) — 55% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Portland, OR
- First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $128,500
- First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — $105,890
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $97,200
- Firefighter — $85,170
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $84,640
- First-Line Supervisor of Security Workers — $61,560
- Crossing Guard and Flagger — $47,570
- Protective Service Workers, All Other — $45,770
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $36,350