Security Guard Salary in Chicago, IL
Security Guards in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $39,990 a year — 5% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $32,477 take-home, or $2,706 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,619
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,479
- Medicare (1.45%)$580
- Illinois income tax$1,835
- Take-home pay$32,477
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. 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 Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,940 | $17.28 | $29,424 | $2,452 |
| 25th percentile | $37,060 | $17.82 | $30,268 | $2,522 |
| Median (50th) | $39,990 | $19.23 | $32,477 | $2,706 |
| 75th percentile | $46,360 | $22.29 | $37,280 | $3,107 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,180 | $30.86 | $50,717 | $4,226 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $39,990 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $32,477 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,350 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chicago, IL has 1.3× 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
Chicago, IL ranks #46 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 |
| 46 | Chicago, IL | $39,990 | $32,477 | $31,350 |
*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.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Chicago, IL?
The median security guard salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $39,990 a year, or about $19.23 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $37,060 and $46,360.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $39,990 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $32,477 a year ($2,706 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,835 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 5% above the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,350 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #46 of 77 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 57% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
- First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $135,080
- First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — $126,200
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $107,810
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $84,550
- Firefighter — $82,820
- School Bus Monitor — $33,890
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $33,750