Security Guard Salary in Lexington, KY
Security Guards in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn a median $35,400 a year — 7% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,503 take-home, or $2,459 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Lexington, KY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,068
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,195
- Medicare (1.45%)$513
- Kentucky income tax$1,121
- Take-home pay$29,503
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.50% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Security Guard pay by experience in Lexington, KY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,310 | $13.61 | $24,050 | $2,004 |
| 25th percentile | $33,990 | $16.34 | $28,419 | $2,368 |
| Median (50th) | $35,400 | $17.02 | $29,503 | $2,459 |
| 75th percentile | $37,140 | $17.86 | $30,840 | $2,570 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,850 | $23.00 | $39,070 | $3,256 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Kentucky resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $35,400 buys in Lexington, KY
Prices in Lexington, KY are 7.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 23% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $29,503 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,761 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 Lexington, KY as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.08).
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Lexington, KY ranks #39 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 |
| 39 | Lexington, KY | $35,400 | $29,503 | $31,761 |
*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 Kentucky
- Louisville, KY — $36,420
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Lexington, KY?
The median security guard salary in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $35,400 a year, or about $17.02 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $33,990 and $37,140.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Lexington, KY?
On the median $35,400 salary, a single filer living in Kentucky takes home about $29,503 a year ($2,459 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,121 in Kentucky taxes in 2026.
Is Lexington, KY a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 7% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 7.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,761 would in a typical U.S. city. Lexington, KY ranks #39 of 77 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Lexington, KY?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Lexington, KY is $1,079 a month ($1,272 for two bedrooms) — 44% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.