Security Guard Salary in Salem, OR
Security Guards in the Salem, OR metro area earn a median $46,150 a year — 21% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $36,053 take-home, or $3,004 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Salem, OR. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,358
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,861
- Medicare (1.45%)$669
- Oregon income tax$3,209
- Take-home pay$36,053
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 8.75% state
Security Guard pay by experience in Salem, OR
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,210 | $17.41 | $28,936 | $2,411 |
| 25th percentile | $39,480 | $18.98 | $31,277 | $2,606 |
| Median (50th) | $46,150 | $22.19 | $36,053 | $3,004 |
| 75th percentile | $55,450 | $26.66 | $42,712 | $3,559 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,770 | $29.22 | $46,521 | $3,877 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Oregon resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $46,150 buys in Salem, OR
Prices in Salem, OR are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.10× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $36,053 take-home pay has the buying power of $34,784 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 Salem, OR than nationally (location quotient 0.66), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Salem, OR ranks #43 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 |
| 43 | Salem, OR | $46,150 | $36,053 | $34,784 |
*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
- Portland, OR — $46,820
- Eugene, OR — $39,750
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Salem, OR?
The median security guard salary in the Salem, OR metro area is $46,150 a year, or about $22.19 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $39,480 and $55,450.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Salem, OR?
On the median $46,150 salary, a single filer living in Oregon takes home about $36,053 a year ($3,004 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,209 in Oregon taxes in 2026.
Is Salem, OR a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 21% above the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $34,784 would in a typical U.S. city. Salem, OR ranks #43 of 224 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Salem, OR?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Salem, OR is $1,201 a month ($1,560 for two bedrooms) — 40% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Salem, OR
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $84,320
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $83,690