Security Guard Salary in Fresno, CA
Security Guards in the Fresno, CA metro area earn a median $37,180 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,094 take-home, or $2,591 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Fresno, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,282
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,305
- Medicare (1.45%)$539
- California income tax$477
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$483
- Take-home pay$31,094
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Security Guard pay by experience in Fresno, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,320 | $16.50 | $28,948 | $2,412 |
| 25th percentile | $34,840 | $16.75 | $29,338 | $2,445 |
| Median (50th) | $37,180 | $17.88 | $31,094 | $2,591 |
| 75th percentile | $43,930 | $21.12 | $36,160 | $3,013 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,450 | $24.25 | $40,984 | $3,415 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $37,180 buys in Fresno, CA
Prices in Fresno, CA are 2.2% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 4% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $31,094 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,437 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 Fresno, CA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.92).
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Fresno, CA ranks #59 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 |
| 59 | Fresno, CA | $37,180 | $31,094 | $30,437 |
*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 California
- San Jose, CA — $46,250
- San Francisco, CA — $45,730
- Sacramento, CA — $39,460
- Stockton, CA — $38,530
- Riverside, CA — $37,280
- Los Angeles, CA — $40,030
- San Diego, CA — $38,500
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Fresno, CA?
The median security guard salary in the Fresno, CA metro area is $37,180 a year, or about $17.88 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $34,840 and $43,930.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Fresno, CA?
On the median $37,180 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $31,094 a year ($2,591 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $960 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Fresno, CA a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 2.2% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,437 would in a typical U.S. city. Fresno, CA ranks #59 of 77 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Fresno, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Fresno, CA is $1,315 a month ($1,625 for two bedrooms) — 51% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Fresno, CA
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $94,010