Security Guard Salary in Utica, NY
Security Guards in the Utica-Rome, NY metro area earn a median $44,420 a year — 17% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $36,070 take-home, or $3,006 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$3,150
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,754
- Medicare (1.45%)$644
- New York income tax$1,802
- Take-home pay$36,070
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.40% state
Security Guard pay by experience in Utica, NY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,550 | $16.61 | $28,672 | $2,389 |
| 25th percentile | $36,250 | $17.43 | $29,946 | $2,496 |
| Median (50th) | $44,420 | $21.36 | $36,070 | $3,006 |
| 75th percentile | $53,160 | $25.56 | $42,620 | $3,552 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,590 | $30.09 | $49,688 | $4,141 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New York resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $44,420 buys in Utica, NY
Prices in Utica, NY are 7.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 34% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $36,070 take-home pay has the buying power of $38,919 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 Utica, NY as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.97).
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Utica, NY ranks #6 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 |
*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 York
- Syracuse, NY — $45,050
- Binghamton, NY — $42,070
- Rochester, NY — $42,860
- Albany, NY — $43,250
- Buffalo, NY — $38,420
- Kiryas Joel, NY — $42,910
- New York, NY — $43,980
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Utica, NY?
The median security guard salary in the Utica-Rome, NY metro area is $44,420 a year, or about $21.36 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,250 and $53,160.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Utica, NY?
On the median $44,420 salary, a single filer living in New York takes home about $36,070 a year ($3,006 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,802 in New York taxes in 2026.
Is Utica, NY a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 17% above the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 7.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $38,919 would in a typical U.S. city. Utica, NY ranks #6 of 224 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Utica, NY?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Utica, NY is $926 a month ($1,172 for two bedrooms) — 31% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Utica, NY
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $72,890
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $60,510