Security Guard Salary in Raleigh, NC
Security Guards in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median $34,680 a year — 9% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,170 take-home, or $2,431 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Raleigh, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,982
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,150
- Medicare (1.45%)$503
- North Carolina income tax$875
- Take-home pay$29,170
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
Security Guard pay by experience in Raleigh, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,220 | $14.05 | $25,001 | $2,083 |
| 25th percentile | $30,190 | $14.51 | $25,742 | $2,145 |
| Median (50th) | $34,680 | $16.67 | $29,170 | $2,431 |
| 75th percentile | $43,530 | $20.93 | $35,928 | $2,994 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,830 | $31.65 | $52,957 | $4,413 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $34,680 buys in Raleigh, NC
Prices in Raleigh, NC are 1.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.03× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $29,170 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,718 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 less concentrated in Raleigh, NC than nationally (location quotient 0.78), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Raleigh, NC ranks #202 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 |
| 202 | Raleigh, NC | $34,680 | $29,170 | $29,718 |
*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 North Carolina
- Fayetteville, NC — $42,940
- Durham, NC — $38,530
- Winston, NC — $36,040
- Wilmington, NC — $36,960
- Asheville, NC — $36,820
- Hickory, NC — $31,860
- Greensboro, NC — $33,430
- Charlotte, NC — $35,010
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Raleigh, NC?
The median security guard salary in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $34,680 a year, or about $16.67 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $30,190 and $43,530.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Raleigh, NC?
On the median $34,680 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $29,170 a year ($2,431 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $875 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 9% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 1.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,718 would in a typical U.S. city. Raleigh, NC ranks #202 of 224 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Raleigh, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Raleigh, NC is $1,596 a month ($1,750 for two bedrooms) — 66% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Raleigh, NC
- First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $102,610
- First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — $78,470
- Detective and Criminal Investigator — $77,210
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $65,860
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $54,070
- Firefighter — $45,640
- Crossing Guard and Flagger — $35,050
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $27,380