Security Guard Salary in Nashville, TN
Security Guards in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median $37,010 a year — 3% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,918 take-home, or $2,660 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Nashville, TN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,261
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,295
- Medicare (1.45%)$537
- Tennessee income tax$0
- Take-home pay$31,918
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 Nashville, TN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,360 | $14.60 | $26,574 | $2,215 |
| 25th percentile | $33,140 | $15.93 | $28,808 | $2,401 |
| Median (50th) | $37,010 | $17.79 | $31,918 | $2,660 |
| 75th percentile | $43,780 | $21.05 | $37,357 | $3,113 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,270 | $27.05 | $47,393 | $3,949 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Tennessee resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $37,010 buys in Nashville, TN
Prices in Nashville, TN are 3.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.05× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $31,918 take-home pay has the buying power of $33,131 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 Nashville, TN as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.18).
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Nashville, TN ranks #24 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 |
| 24 | Nashville, TN | $37,010 | $31,918 | $33,131 |
*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
- Knoxville, TN — $35,810
- Memphis, TN — $35,100
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Nashville, TN?
The median security guard salary in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $37,010 a year, or about $17.79 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $33,140 and $43,780.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Nashville, TN?
On the median $37,010 salary, a single filer living in Tennessee takes home about $31,918 a year ($2,660 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Nashville, TN a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 3% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 3.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $33,131 would in a typical U.S. city. Nashville, TN ranks #24 of 77 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Nashville, TN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Nashville, TN is $1,530 a month ($1,685 for two bedrooms) — 58% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Nashville, TN
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $68,780