Security Guard Salary in Rockford, IL
Security Guards in the Rockford, IL metro area earn a median $36,960 a year — 3% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,193 take-home, or $2,516 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Rockford, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,255
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,292
- Medicare (1.45%)$536
- Illinois income tax$1,685
- Take-home pay$30,193
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.95% state
Security Guard pay by experience in Rockford, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 | $25,850 | $2,154 |
| 25th percentile | $35,220 | $16.93 | $28,881 | $2,407 |
| Median (50th) | $36,960 | $17.77 | $30,193 | $2,516 |
| 75th percentile | $45,520 | $21.88 | $36,647 | $3,054 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,500 | $28.61 | $47,188 | $3,932 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,960 buys in Rockford, IL
Prices in Rockford, IL are 7.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 30% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $30,193 take-home pay has the buying power of $32,763 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 Rockford, IL than nationally (location quotient 0.67), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Rockford, IL ranks #99 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 |
| 99 | Rockford, IL | $36,960 | $30,193 | $32,763 |
*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 Illinois
- Springfield, IL — $42,240
- Peoria, IL — $38,530
- Chicago, IL — $39,990
- Bloomington, IL — $35,520
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Rockford, IL?
The median security guard salary in the Rockford, IL metro area is $36,960 a year, or about $17.77 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,220 and $45,520.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Rockford, IL?
On the median $36,960 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $30,193 a year ($2,516 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,685 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Rockford, IL a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 3% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 7.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $32,763 would in a typical U.S. city. Rockford, IL ranks #99 of 224 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Rockford, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Rockford, IL is $895 a month ($1,175 for two bedrooms) — 36% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Rockford, IL
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $78,510