Security Guard Salary in Knoxville, TN
Security Guards in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median $35,810 a year — 6% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,953 take-home, or $2,579 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Knoxville, TN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,117
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,220
- Medicare (1.45%)$519
- Tennessee income tax$0
- Take-home pay$30,953
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Security Guard pay by experience in Knoxville, TN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,420 | $14.14 | $25,819 | $2,152 |
| 25th percentile | $30,200 | $14.52 | $26,446 | $2,204 |
| Median (50th) | $35,810 | $17.22 | $30,953 | $2,579 |
| 75th percentile | $43,470 | $20.90 | $37,108 | $3,092 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,010 | $27.41 | $47,988 | $3,999 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Tennessee resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $35,810 buys in Knoxville, TN
Prices in Knoxville, TN are 7.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 17% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $30,953 take-home pay has the buying power of $33,438 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 Knoxville, TN as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.82).
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Knoxville, TN ranks #22 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 |
| 22 | Knoxville, TN | $35,810 | $30,953 | $33,438 |
*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 Tennessee
- Nashville, TN — $37,010
- Memphis, TN — $35,100
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Knoxville, TN?
The median security guard salary in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $35,810 a year, or about $17.22 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $30,200 and $43,470.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Knoxville, TN?
On the median $35,810 salary, a single filer living in Tennessee takes home about $30,953 a year ($2,579 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Knoxville, TN a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 6% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 7.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $33,438 would in a typical U.S. city. Knoxville, TN ranks #22 of 77 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Knoxville, TN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Knoxville, TN is $1,126 a month ($1,401 for two bedrooms) — 44% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.