Security Guard Salary in Waterbury, CT
Security Guards in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area earn a median $38,720 a year — 2% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $32,474 take-home, or $2,706 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Waterbury, CT. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,466
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,401
- Medicare (1.45%)$561
- Connecticut income tax$817
- Take-home pay$32,474
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.50% state
Security Guard pay by experience in Waterbury, CT
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,210 | $16.93 | $29,812 | $2,484 |
| 25th percentile | $37,210 | $17.89 | $31,329 | $2,611 |
| Median (50th) | $38,720 | $18.62 | $32,474 | $2,706 |
| 75th percentile | $44,490 | $21.39 | $36,851 | $3,071 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,800 | $23.94 | $40,878 | $3,407 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Connecticut resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $38,720 buys in Waterbury, CT
Prices in Waterbury, CT are 0.2% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 11% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $32,474 take-home pay has the buying power of $32,546 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Waterbury, CT has 1.4× 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
Waterbury, CT ranks #109 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 |
| 109 | Waterbury, CT | $38,720 | $32,474 | $32,546 |
*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 Connecticut
- New Haven, CT — $45,060
- Bridgeport, CT — $44,390
- Hartford, CT — $39,060
- Norwich, CT — $35,510
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Waterbury, CT?
The median security guard salary in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area is $38,720 a year, or about $18.62 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $37,210 and $44,490.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Waterbury, CT?
On the median $38,720 salary, a single filer living in Connecticut takes home about $32,474 a year ($2,706 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $817 in Connecticut taxes in 2026.
Is Waterbury, CT a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 2% above the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 0.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $32,546 would in a typical U.S. city. Waterbury, CT ranks #109 of 224 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Waterbury, CT?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Waterbury, CT is $1,445 a month ($1,788 for two bedrooms) — 53% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Waterbury, CT
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $82,830