Security Guard Salary in Santa Fe, NM
Security Guards in the Santa Fe, NM metro area earn a median $40,980 a year — 8% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $34,313 take-home, or $2,859 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Santa Fe, NM. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,738
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,541
- Medicare (1.45%)$594
- New Mexico income tax$795
- Take-home pay$34,313
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.30% state
Security Guard pay by experience in Santa Fe, NM
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,000 | $15.38 | $27,477 | $2,290 |
| 25th percentile | $35,000 | $16.83 | $29,765 | $2,480 |
| Median (50th) | $40,980 | $19.70 | $34,313 | $2,859 |
| 75th percentile | $48,350 | $23.25 | $39,917 | $3,326 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,600 | $29.13 | $49,190 | $4,099 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New Mexico resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $40,980 buys in Santa Fe, NM
Prices in Santa Fe, NM are 1.2% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.08× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $34,313 take-home pay has the buying power of $34,741 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Santa Fe, NM has 1.2× 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
Santa Fe, NM ranks #44 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 |
| 44 | Santa Fe, NM | $40,980 | $34,313 | $34,741 |
*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 New Mexico
- Albuquerque, NM — $44,780
- Farmington, NM — $36,820
- Las Cruces, NM — $37,010
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Santa Fe, NM?
The median security guard salary in the Santa Fe, NM metro area is $40,980 a year, or about $19.70 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,000 and $48,350.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Santa Fe, NM?
On the median $40,980 salary, a single filer living in New Mexico takes home about $34,313 a year ($2,859 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $795 in New Mexico taxes in 2026.
Is Santa Fe, NM a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 8% above the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 1.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $34,741 would in a typical U.S. city. Santa Fe, NM ranks #44 of 224 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Santa Fe, NM?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Santa Fe, NM is $1,390 a month ($1,685 for two bedrooms) — 49% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.