Security Guard Salary in Des Moines, IA
Security Guards in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median $37,550 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,576 take-home, or $2,631 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Des Moines, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,326
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,328
- Medicare (1.45%)$544
- Iowa income tax$775
- Take-home pay$31,576
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.80% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Security Guard pay by experience in Des Moines, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,380 | $14.61 | $26,088 | $2,174 |
| 25th percentile | $34,340 | $16.51 | $29,119 | $2,427 |
| Median (50th) | $37,550 | $18.05 | $31,576 | $2,631 |
| 75th percentile | $46,740 | $22.47 | $38,611 | $3,218 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,730 | $35.45 | $58,549 | $4,879 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $37,550 buys in Des Moines, IA
Prices in Des Moines, IA are 8.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 15% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $31,576 take-home pay has the buying power of $34,434 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 less concentrated in Des Moines, IA than nationally (location quotient 0.71), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Des Moines, IA ranks #13 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 |
| 13 | Des Moines, IA | $37,550 | $31,576 | $34,434 |
*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 Des Moines, IA?
The median security guard salary in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $37,550 a year, or about $18.05 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $34,340 and $46,740.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Des Moines, IA?
On the median $37,550 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $31,576 a year ($2,631 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $775 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Des Moines, IA a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 8.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $34,434 would in a typical U.S. city. Des Moines, IA ranks #13 of 77 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Des Moines, IA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Des Moines, IA is $1,092 a month ($1,302 for two bedrooms) — 41% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.