Security Guard Salary in Reno, NV
Security Guards in the Reno, NV metro area earn a median $39,370 a year — 4% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $33,814 take-home, or $2,818 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Reno, NV. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,544
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,441
- Medicare (1.45%)$571
- Nevada income tax$0
- Take-home pay$33,814
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Security Guard pay by experience in Reno, NV
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,270 | $14.55 | $26,502 | $2,208 |
| 25th percentile | $35,580 | $17.11 | $30,769 | $2,564 |
| Median (50th) | $39,370 | $18.93 | $33,814 | $2,818 |
| 75th percentile | $47,460 | $22.82 | $40,314 | $3,360 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,010 | $26.45 | $46,381 | $3,865 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Nevada resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $39,370 buys in Reno, NV
Prices in Reno, NV are 1.0% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.23× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $33,814 take-home pay has the buying power of $33,474 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 Reno, NV as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.83).
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Reno, NV ranks #74 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 |
| 74 | Reno, NV | $39,370 | $33,814 | $33,474 |
*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 Nevada
- Las Vegas, NV — $37,210
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Reno, NV?
The median security guard salary in the Reno, NV metro area is $39,370 a year, or about $18.93 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,580 and $47,460.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Reno, NV?
On the median $39,370 salary, a single filer living in Nevada takes home about $33,814 a year ($2,818 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Reno, NV a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 4% above the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 1.0% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $33,474 would in a typical U.S. city. Reno, NV ranks #74 of 224 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Reno, NV?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Reno, NV is $1,444 a month ($1,805 for two bedrooms) — 51% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Reno, NV
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $92,130
- Firefighter — $81,360