Security Guard Salary in New Orleans, LA
Security Guards in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn a median $32,240 a year — 15% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $27,504 take-home, or $2,292 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in New Orleans, LA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,689
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,999
- Medicare (1.45%)$467
- Louisiana income tax$581
- Take-home pay$27,504
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Security Guard pay by experience in New Orleans, LA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,590 | $11.34 | $20,715 | $1,726 |
| 25th percentile | $30,300 | $14.57 | $26,003 | $2,167 |
| Median (50th) | $32,240 | $15.50 | $27,504 | $2,292 |
| 75th percentile | $38,310 | $18.42 | $32,199 | $2,683 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,990 | $23.55 | $40,460 | $3,372 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Louisiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $32,240 buys in New Orleans, LA
Prices in New Orleans, LA are 7.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 14% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $27,504 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,703 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
New Orleans, LA has 1.8× the national concentration of security guard jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
New Orleans, LA ranks #68 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 |
| 68 | New Orleans, LA | $32,240 | $27,504 | $29,703 |
*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 Louisiana
- Baton Rouge, LA — $36,500
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in New Orleans, LA?
The median security guard salary in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area is $32,240 a year, or about $15.50 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $30,300 and $38,310.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in New Orleans, LA?
On the median $32,240 salary, a single filer living in Louisiana takes home about $27,504 a year ($2,292 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $581 in Louisiana taxes in 2026.
Is New Orleans, LA a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 15% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 7.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,703 would in a typical U.S. city. New Orleans, LA ranks #68 of 77 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in New Orleans, LA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in New Orleans, LA is $1,105 a month ($1,323 for two bedrooms) — 48% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.