Security Guard Salary in Tallahassee, FL
Security Guards in the Tallahassee, FL metro area earn a median $33,930 a year — 11% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,443 take-home, or $2,454 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Tallahassee, FL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,892
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,104
- Medicare (1.45%)$492
- Florida income tax$0
- Take-home pay$29,443
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Security Guard pay by experience in Tallahassee, FL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,880 | $13.40 | $24,569 | $2,047 |
| 25th percentile | $29,970 | $14.41 | $26,261 | $2,188 |
| Median (50th) | $33,930 | $16.31 | $29,443 | $2,454 |
| 75th percentile | $36,730 | $17.66 | $31,693 | $2,641 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,200 | $22.69 | $40,105 | $3,342 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Florida resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $33,930 buys in Tallahassee, FL
Prices in Tallahassee, FL are 6.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 21% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $29,443 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,349 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 Tallahassee, FL than nationally (location quotient 0.54), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Tallahassee, FL ranks #148 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 |
| 148 | Tallahassee, FL | $33,930 | $29,443 | $31,349 |
*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 Florida
- Crestview, FL — $37,140
- Naples, FL — $39,450
- Panama City, FL — $35,060
- North Port, FL — $37,040
- Pensacola, FL — $34,950
- Tampa, FL — $36,010
- Palm Bay, FL — $35,650
- Lakeland, FL — $34,550
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Tallahassee, FL?
The median security guard salary in the Tallahassee, FL metro area is $33,930 a year, or about $16.31 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $29,970 and $36,730.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Tallahassee, FL?
On the median $33,930 salary, a single filer living in Florida takes home about $29,443 a year ($2,454 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Tallahassee, FL a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 11% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 6.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,349 would in a typical U.S. city. Tallahassee, FL ranks #148 of 224 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Tallahassee, FL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Tallahassee, FL is $1,193 a month ($1,339 for two bedrooms) — 49% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Tallahassee, FL
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $67,200
- Detective and Criminal Investigator — $58,410
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $48,170