Security Guard Salary in Providence, RI
Security Guards in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area earn a median $38,120 a year — 0% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,997 take-home, or $2,666 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Providence, RI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,394
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,363
- Medicare (1.45%)$553
- Rhode Island income tax$813
- Take-home pay$31,997
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.75% state
The Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro spans Rhode Island, Massachusetts. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Security Guard pay by experience in Providence, RI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 | $26,696 | $2,225 |
| 25th percentile | $34,470 | $16.57 | $29,201 | $2,433 |
| Median (50th) | $38,120 | $18.33 | $31,997 | $2,666 |
| 75th percentile | $44,510 | $21.40 | $36,892 | $3,074 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,160 | $23.63 | $40,453 | $3,371 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Rhode Island resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $38,120 buys in Providence, RI
Prices in Providence, RI are 1.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.04× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $31,997 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,439 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 Providence, RI than nationally (location quotient 0.72), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Providence, RI ranks #44 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 |
| 44 | Providence, RI | $38,120 | $31,997 | $31,439 |
*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 Providence, RI?
The median security guard salary in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area is $38,120 a year, or about $18.33 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $34,470 and $44,510.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Providence, RI?
On the median $38,120 salary, a single filer living in Rhode Island takes home about $31,997 a year ($2,666 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $813 in Rhode Island taxes in 2026.
Is Providence, RI a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 0% above the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 1.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,439 would in a typical U.S. city. Providence, RI ranks #44 of 77 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Providence, RI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Providence, RI is $1,423 a month ($1,774 for two bedrooms) — 53% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Providence, RI
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $76,850
- Firefighter — $66,150