Security Guard Salary in Sacramento, CA
Security Guards in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area earn a median $39,460 a year — 4% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $32,805 take-home, or $2,734 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Sacramento, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,555
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,447
- Medicare (1.45%)$572
- California income tax$568
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$513
- Take-home pay$32,805
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.00% state
Security Guard pay by experience in Sacramento, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,500 | $17.55 | $30,584 | $2,549 |
| 25th percentile | $36,990 | $17.78 | $30,952 | $2,579 |
| Median (50th) | $39,460 | $18.97 | $32,805 | $2,734 |
| 75th percentile | $45,030 | $21.65 | $36,986 | $3,082 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,060 | $25.99 | $43,621 | $3,635 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $39,460 buys in Sacramento, CA
Prices in Sacramento, CA are 6.7% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.30× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $32,805 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,754 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Sacramento, CA has 1.3× 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
Sacramento, CA ranks #173 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 |
| 173 | Sacramento, CA | $39,460 | $32,805 | $30,754 |
*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 California
- Redding, CA — $42,330
- Santa Rosa, CA — $45,160
- Napa, CA — $47,240
- San Jose, CA — $46,250
- Santa Maria, CA — $43,250
- El Centro, CA — $37,230
- Santa Cruz, CA — $43,610
- San Luis Obispo, CA — $42,980
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Sacramento, CA?
The median security guard salary in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area is $39,460 a year, or about $18.97 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,990 and $45,030.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Sacramento, CA?
On the median $39,460 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $32,805 a year ($2,734 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,081 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Sacramento, CA a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 4% above the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 6.7% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,754 would in a typical U.S. city. Sacramento, CA ranks #173 of 224 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Sacramento, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Sacramento, CA is $1,812 a month ($2,241 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 Sacramento, CA
- First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $163,810
- First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — $160,450
- First-Line Supervisor of Correctional Officers — $135,040
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $111,460
- Detective and Criminal Investigator — $109,500
- Firefighter — $94,080
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $89,730
- Crossing Guard and Flagger — $51,930
- First-Line Supervisor of Security Workers — $51,270
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $38,070