Security Guard Salary in Raleigh, NC
Security Guards in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median $34,680 a year — 9% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,170 take-home, or $2,431 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Raleigh, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,982
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,150
- Medicare (1.45%)$503
- North Carolina income tax$875
- Take-home pay$29,170
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Security Guard pay by experience in Raleigh, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,220 | $14.05 | $25,001 | $2,083 |
| 25th percentile | $30,190 | $14.51 | $25,742 | $2,145 |
| Median (50th) | $34,680 | $16.67 | $29,170 | $2,431 |
| 75th percentile | $43,530 | $20.93 | $35,928 | $2,994 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,830 | $31.65 | $52,957 | $4,413 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $34,680 buys in Raleigh, NC
Prices in Raleigh, NC are 1.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.03× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $29,170 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,718 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 Raleigh, NC than nationally (location quotient 0.78), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Raleigh, NC ranks #67 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 |
| 67 | Raleigh, NC | $34,680 | $29,170 | $29,718 |
*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 North Carolina
- Greensboro, NC — $33,430
- Charlotte, NC — $35,010
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Raleigh, NC?
The median security guard salary in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $34,680 a year, or about $16.67 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $30,190 and $43,530.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Raleigh, NC?
On the median $34,680 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $29,170 a year ($2,431 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $875 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 9% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 1.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,718 would in a typical U.S. city. Raleigh, NC ranks #67 of 77 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Raleigh, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Raleigh, NC is $1,596 a month ($1,750 for two bedrooms) — 66% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Raleigh, NC
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $65,860
- Firefighter — $45,640