Security Guard Salary in Milwaukee, WI
Security Guards in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median $37,870 a year — 0% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,723 take-home, or $2,644 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Milwaukee, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,364
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,348
- Medicare (1.45%)$549
- Wisconsin income tax$885
- Take-home pay$31,723
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Security Guard pay by experience in Milwaukee, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,940 | $16.32 | $28,738 | $2,395 |
| 25th percentile | $35,840 | $17.23 | $30,182 | $2,515 |
| Median (50th) | $37,870 | $18.21 | $31,723 | $2,644 |
| 75th percentile | $46,270 | $22.25 | $38,103 | $3,175 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,800 | $26.35 | $44,582 | $3,715 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $37,870 buys in Milwaukee, WI
Prices in Milwaukee, WI are 3.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 3% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $31,723 take-home pay has the buying power of $32,726 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 less concentrated in Milwaukee, WI than nationally (location quotient 0.77), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Milwaukee, WI ranks #28 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 |
| 28 | Milwaukee, WI | $37,870 | $31,723 | $32,726 |
*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 Milwaukee, WI?
The median security guard salary in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $37,870 a year, or about $18.21 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,840 and $46,270.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Milwaukee, WI?
On the median $37,870 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $31,723 a year ($2,644 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $885 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Milwaukee, WI a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 0% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 3.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $32,726 would in a typical U.S. city. Milwaukee, WI ranks #28 of 77 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Milwaukee, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Milwaukee, WI is $1,119 a month ($1,338 for two bedrooms) — 42% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Milwaukee, WI
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $82,090