Security Guard Salary in Allentown, PA
Security Guards in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area earn a median $36,020 a year — 5% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,016 take-home, or $2,501 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Allentown, PA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,142
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,233
- Medicare (1.45%)$522
- Pennsylvania income tax$1,106
- Take-home pay$30,016
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.07% state
The Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro spans Pennsylvania, New Jersey. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Security Guard pay by experience in Allentown, PA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,850 | $14.83 | $26,021 | $2,168 |
| 25th percentile | $35,190 | $16.92 | $29,375 | $2,448 |
| Median (50th) | $36,020 | $17.32 | $30,016 | $2,501 |
| 75th percentile | $44,390 | $21.34 | $36,485 | $3,040 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,500 | $23.80 | $40,434 | $3,369 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Pennsylvania resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,020 buys in Allentown, PA
Prices in Allentown, PA are 0.0% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.06× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $30,016 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,026 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 Allentown, PA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.83).
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Allentown, PA ranks #65 of 77 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albuquerque, NM | $44,780 | $37,202 | $38,937 |
| 2 | Omaha, NE | $42,370 | $35,176 | $38,272 |
| 3 | Kansas City, MO | $41,810 | $34,747 | $37,546 |
| 4 | St. Louis, MO | $42,600 | $35,344 | $37,170 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $47,490 | $40,338 | $36,297 |
| 6 | Rochester, NY | $42,860 | $34,901 | $35,967 |
| 7 | Salt Lake City, UT | $43,260 | $35,959 | $35,649 |
| 8 | Albany, NY | $43,250 | $35,193 | $35,346 |
| 65 | Allentown, PA | $36,020 | $30,016 | $30,026 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 77 metros →
About the job: security guards
Guard, patrol, or monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules. May operate x-ray and metal detector equipment.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +0.9% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Security Guard salaries elsewhere in Pennsylvania
- Pittsburgh, PA — $35,850
- Philadelphia, PA — $37,450
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Allentown, PA?
The median security guard salary in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area is $36,020 a year, or about $17.32 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,190 and $44,390.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Allentown, PA?
On the median $36,020 salary, a single filer living in Pennsylvania takes home about $30,016 a year ($2,501 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,106 in Pennsylvania taxes in 2026.
Is Allentown, PA a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 5% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 0.0% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,026 would in a typical U.S. city. Allentown, PA ranks #65 of 77 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Allentown, PA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Allentown, PA is $1,365 a month ($1,667 for two bedrooms) — 55% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.