Security Guard Salary in Atlantic City, NJ
Security Guards in the Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ metro area earn a median $39,900 a year — 5% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $33,561 take-home, or $2,797 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Atlantic City, NJ. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,608
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,474
- Medicare (1.45%)$579
- New Jersey income tax$679
- Take-home pay$33,561
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.50% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Security Guard pay by experience in Atlantic City, NJ
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,220 | $15.49 | $27,592 | $2,299 |
| 25th percentile | $36,490 | $17.54 | $30,940 | $2,578 |
| Median (50th) | $39,900 | $19.18 | $33,561 | $2,797 |
| 75th percentile | $44,660 | $21.47 | $37,145 | $3,095 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,750 | $24.88 | $42,450 | $3,537 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New Jersey resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $39,900 buys in Atlantic City, NJ
Prices in Atlantic City, NJ are 1.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $33,561 take-home pay has the buying power of $33,949 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Atlantic City, NJ has 2.1× 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
Atlantic City, NJ ranks #17 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 |
| 17 | Atlantic City, NJ | $39,900 | $33,561 | $33,949 |
*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 New Jersey
- Trenton, NJ — $34,980
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Atlantic City, NJ?
The median security guard salary in the Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ metro area is $39,900 a year, or about $19.18 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,490 and $44,660.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Atlantic City, NJ?
On the median $39,900 salary, a single filer living in New Jersey takes home about $33,561 a year ($2,797 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $679 in New Jersey taxes in 2026.
Is Atlantic City, NJ a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 5% above the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 1.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $33,949 would in a typical U.S. city. Atlantic City, NJ ranks #17 of 77 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Atlantic City, NJ?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Atlantic City, NJ is $1,493 a month ($1,848 for two bedrooms) — 53% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.