Security Guard Salary in Greensboro, NC
Security Guards in the Greensboro-High Point, NC metro area earn a median $33,430 a year — 12% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $28,216 take-home, or $2,351 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Greensboro, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,832
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,073
- Medicare (1.45%)$485
- North Carolina income tax$825
- Take-home pay$28,216
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Security Guard pay by experience in Greensboro, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,170 | $13.54 | $24,193 | $2,016 |
| 25th percentile | $29,450 | $14.16 | $25,177 | $2,098 |
| Median (50th) | $33,430 | $16.07 | $28,216 | $2,351 |
| 75th percentile | $39,370 | $18.93 | $32,752 | $2,729 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,390 | $24.71 | $41,930 | $3,494 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $33,430 buys in Greensboro, NC
Prices in Greensboro, NC are 7.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 25% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $28,216 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,384 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 Greensboro, NC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.94).
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Greensboro, NC ranks #61 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 |
| 61 | Greensboro, NC | $33,430 | $28,216 | $30,384 |
*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 North Carolina
- Charlotte, NC — $35,010
- Raleigh, NC — $34,680
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Greensboro, NC?
The median security guard salary in the Greensboro-High Point, NC metro area is $33,430 a year, or about $16.07 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $29,450 and $39,370.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Greensboro, NC?
On the median $33,430 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $28,216 a year ($2,351 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $825 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Greensboro, NC a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 12% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 7.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,384 would in a typical U.S. city. Greensboro, NC ranks #61 of 77 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Greensboro, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Greensboro, NC is $1,164 a month ($1,296 for two bedrooms) — 50% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.