Security Guard Salary in Denver, CO
Security Guards in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median $45,420 a year — 19% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $37,385 take-home, or $3,115 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Denver, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,270
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,816
- Medicare (1.45%)$659
- Colorado income tax$1,290
- Take-home pay$37,385
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Security Guard pay by experience in Denver, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,780 | $17.68 | $30,823 | $2,569 |
| 25th percentile | $38,960 | $18.73 | $32,479 | $2,707 |
| Median (50th) | $45,420 | $21.84 | $37,385 | $3,115 |
| 75th percentile | $47,560 | $22.87 | $39,010 | $3,251 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,330 | $27.56 | $46,431 | $3,869 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $45,420 buys in Denver, CO
Prices in Denver, CO are 5.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.47× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $37,385 take-home pay has the buying power of $35,341 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 Denver, CO as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.82).
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Denver, CO ranks #9 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 |
| 9 | Denver, CO | $45,420 | $37,385 | $35,341 |
*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 Denver, CO?
The median security guard salary in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $45,420 a year, or about $21.84 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $38,960 and $47,560.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Denver, CO?
On the median $45,420 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $37,385 a year ($3,115 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,290 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Denver, CO a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 19% above the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 5.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $35,341 would in a typical U.S. city. Denver, CO ranks #9 of 77 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Denver, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Denver, CO is $1,754 a month ($2,089 for two bedrooms) — 56% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Denver, CO
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $101,970
- Firefighter — $87,980
- Protective Service Workers, All Other — $43,720
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $36,620