Security Guard Salary in Phoenix, AZ
Security Guards in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median $38,290 a year — 1% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $32,198 take-home, or $2,683 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Phoenix, AZ. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,415
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,374
- Medicare (1.45%)$555
- Arizona income tax$749
- Take-home pay$32,198
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.50% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Security Guard pay by experience in Phoenix, AZ
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,190 | $15.96 | $28,227 | $2,352 |
| 25th percentile | $36,250 | $17.43 | $30,609 | $2,551 |
| Median (50th) | $38,290 | $18.41 | $32,198 | $2,683 |
| 75th percentile | $44,260 | $21.28 | $36,845 | $3,070 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,290 | $26.58 | $45,432 | $3,786 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Arizona resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $38,290 buys in Phoenix, AZ
Prices in Phoenix, AZ are 3.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.21× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $32,198 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,164 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 Phoenix, AZ as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.18).
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Phoenix, AZ ranks #50 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 |
| 50 | Phoenix, AZ | $38,290 | $32,198 | $31,164 |
*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 Arizona
- Tucson, AZ — $36,250
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Phoenix, AZ?
The median security guard salary in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $38,290 a year, or about $18.41 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,250 and $44,260.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Phoenix, AZ?
On the median $38,290 salary, a single filer living in Arizona takes home about $32,198 a year ($2,683 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $749 in Arizona taxes in 2026.
Is Phoenix, AZ a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 1% above the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 3.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,164 would in a typical U.S. city. Phoenix, AZ ranks #50 of 77 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Phoenix, AZ?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Phoenix, AZ is $1,583 a month ($1,839 for two bedrooms) — 59% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Phoenix, AZ
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $85,050
- Firefighter — $61,780
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $57,280
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $34,830