Security Guard Salary in Trenton, NJ
Security Guards in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn a median $34,980 a year — 8% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,762 take-home, or $2,480 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Trenton, NJ. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,018
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,169
- Medicare (1.45%)$507
- New Jersey income tax$525
- Take-home pay$29,762
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 1.75% state
Security Guard pay by experience in Trenton, NJ
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,220 | $15.49 | $27,592 | $2,299 |
| 25th percentile | $34,110 | $16.40 | $29,078 | $2,423 |
| Median (50th) | $34,980 | $16.82 | $29,762 | $2,480 |
| 75th percentile | $47,040 | $22.62 | $38,925 | $3,244 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,540 | $28.63 | $48,279 | $4,023 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New Jersey resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $34,980 buys in Trenton, NJ
Prices in Trenton, NJ are 3.2% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.35× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $29,762 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,845 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Trenton, NJ has 1.6× 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
Trenton, NJ ranks #214 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 |
| 214 | Trenton, NJ | $34,980 | $29,762 | $28,845 |
*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 Jersey
- Atlantic City, NJ — $39,900
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Trenton, NJ?
The median security guard salary in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area is $34,980 a year, or about $16.82 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $34,110 and $47,040.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Trenton, NJ?
On the median $34,980 salary, a single filer living in New Jersey takes home about $29,762 a year ($2,480 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $525 in New Jersey taxes in 2026.
Is Trenton, NJ a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 8% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 3.2% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,845 would in a typical U.S. city. Trenton, NJ ranks #214 of 224 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Trenton, NJ?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Trenton, NJ is $1,545 a month ($1,950 for two bedrooms) — 62% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Trenton, NJ
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $69,160