Security Guard Salary in Indianapolis, IN
Security Guards in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn a median $36,490 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,453 take-home, or $2,538 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Indianapolis, IN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,199
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,262
- Medicare (1.45%)$529
- Indiana income tax$1,047
- Take-home pay$30,453
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.95% state
Living in Indianapolis (Marion County)? City residents also pay Indianapolis (Marion County)’s County income tax — about $717 a year on this salary — which lowers take-home pay to $29,736 ($2,478 a month). Choose “Indianapolis (Marion County)” under City income tax in the calculator. Suburban residents usually don’t pay it.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Security Guard pay by experience in Indianapolis, IN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,250 | $14.54 | $25,623 | $2,135 |
| 25th percentile | $31,230 | $15.01 | $26,382 | $2,198 |
| Median (50th) | $36,490 | $17.54 | $30,453 | $2,538 |
| 75th percentile | $43,610 | $20.97 | $35,964 | $2,997 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,380 | $28.55 | $48,170 | $4,014 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Indiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,490 buys in Indianapolis, IN
Prices in Indianapolis, IN are 4.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 11% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $30,453 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,822 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 Indianapolis, IN as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.09).
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Indianapolis, IN ranks #38 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 |
| 38 | Indianapolis, IN | $36,490 | $30,453 | $31,822 |
*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 Indianapolis, IN?
The median security guard salary in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area is $36,490 a year, or about $17.54 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $31,230 and $43,610.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Indianapolis, IN?
On the median $36,490 salary, a single filer living in Indiana takes home about $30,453 a year ($2,538 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,047 in Indiana taxes in 2026.
Is Indianapolis, IN a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 4.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,822 would in a typical U.S. city. Indianapolis, IN ranks #38 of 77 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Indianapolis, IN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Indianapolis, IN is $1,242 a month ($1,454 for two bedrooms) — 49% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Indianapolis, IN
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $83,110
- Firefighter — $68,480