Security Guard Salary in Washington, DC
Security Guards in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $46,830 a year — 23% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $38,164 take-home, or $3,180 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,440
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,903
- Medicare (1.45%)$679
- District of Columbia income tax$1,644
- Take-home pay$38,164
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Security Guard pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,530 | $17.56 | $30,506 | $2,542 |
| 25th percentile | $38,660 | $18.59 | $32,090 | $2,674 |
| Median (50th) | $46,830 | $22.51 | $38,164 | $3,180 |
| 75th percentile | $71,030 | $34.15 | $55,629 | $4,636 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,790 | $37.88 | $60,530 | $5,044 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $46,830 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $38,164 take-home pay has the buying power of $35,050 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC 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
Washington, DC ranks #38 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 |
| 38 | Washington, DC | $46,830 | $38,164 | $35,050 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 224 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Washington, DC?
The median security guard salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $46,830 a year, or about $22.51 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $38,660 and $71,030.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $46,830 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $38,164 a year ($3,180 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,644 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 23% above the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $35,050 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #38 of 224 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 63% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Detective and Criminal Investigator — $156,750
- First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $125,960
- First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — $118,570
- First-Line Supervisor of Correctional Officers — $99,510
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $84,000
- First-Line Supervisor of Security Workers — $73,490
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $70,570
- Transportation Security Screener — $69,910
- Firefighter — $66,980
- Private Detective and Investigator — $62,300
- Protective Service Workers, All Other — $58,780
- First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other — $57,950