Security Guard Salary in Tampa, FL
Security Guards in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area earn a median $36,010 a year — 5% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,114 take-home, or $2,593 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Tampa, FL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,141
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,233
- Medicare (1.45%)$522
- Florida income tax$0
- Take-home pay$31,114
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Security Guard pay by experience in Tampa, FL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,800 | $13.85 | $25,321 | $2,110 |
| 25th percentile | $33,510 | $16.11 | $29,105 | $2,425 |
| Median (50th) | $36,010 | $17.31 | $31,114 | $2,593 |
| 75th percentile | $42,410 | $20.39 | $36,256 | $3,021 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,700 | $22.93 | $40,507 | $3,376 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Florida resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,010 buys in Tampa, FL
Prices in Tampa, FL are 0.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.26× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $31,114 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,840 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 Tampa, FL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.02).
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Tampa, FL ranks #169 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 |
| 169 | Tampa, FL | $36,010 | $31,114 | $30,840 |
*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
- Tallahassee, FL — $33,930
- Panama City, FL — $35,060
- North Port, FL — $37,040
- Pensacola, FL — $34,950
- Palm Bay, FL — $35,650
- Lakeland, FL — $34,550
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Tampa, FL?
The median security guard salary in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area is $36,010 a year, or about $17.31 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $33,510 and $42,410.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Tampa, FL?
On the median $36,010 salary, a single filer living in Florida takes home about $31,114 a year ($2,593 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Tampa, FL a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 5% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 0.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,840 would in a typical U.S. city. Tampa, FL ranks #169 of 224 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Tampa, FL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Tampa, FL is $1,696 a month ($1,977 for two bedrooms) — 65% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Tampa, FL
- First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $114,400
- First-Line Supervisor of Correctional Officers — $100,740
- First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — $95,670
- Detective and Criminal Investigator — $92,420
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $75,710
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $65,340
- Transportation Security Screener — $63,130
- Firefighter — $59,660
- Private Detective and Investigator — $51,390
- First-Line Supervisor of Security Workers — $45,950
- Crossing Guard and Flagger — $35,780
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $31,720