Security Guard Salary in South Bend, IN
Security Guards in the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area earn a median $36,090 a year — 5% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,143 take-home, or $2,512 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in South Bend, IN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,151
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,238
- Medicare (1.45%)$523
- Indiana income tax$1,035
- Take-home pay$30,143
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.95% state
The South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro spans Indiana, Michigan. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Security Guard pay by experience in South Bend, IN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,950 | $14.40 | $25,391 | $2,116 |
| 25th percentile | $34,160 | $16.42 | $28,649 | $2,387 |
| Median (50th) | $36,090 | $17.35 | $30,143 | $2,512 |
| 75th percentile | $39,320 | $18.90 | $32,643 | $2,720 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $53,590 | $25.76 | $43,688 | $3,641 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Indiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,090 buys in South Bend, IN
Prices in South Bend, IN are 7.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 25% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $30,143 take-home pay has the buying power of $32,462 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 South Bend, IN as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.83).
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
South Bend, IN ranks #114 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 |
| 114 | South Bend, IN | $36,090 | $30,143 | $32,462 |
*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 Indiana
- Elkhart, IN — $36,510
- Lafayette, IN — $36,230
- Indianapolis, IN — $36,490
- Fort Wayne, IN — $35,140
- Bloomington, IN — $35,510
- Evansville, IN — $34,010
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in South Bend, IN?
The median security guard salary in the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area is $36,090 a year, or about $17.35 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $34,160 and $39,320.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in South Bend, IN?
On the median $36,090 salary, a single filer living in Indiana takes home about $30,143 a year ($2,512 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,035 in Indiana taxes in 2026.
Is South Bend, IN a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 5% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 7.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $32,462 would in a typical U.S. city. South Bend, IN ranks #114 of 224 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in South Bend, IN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in South Bend, IN is $1,073 a month ($1,244 for two bedrooms) — 43% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in South Bend, IN
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $77,070
- Firefighter — $56,450