Security Guard Salary in Riverside, CA
Security Guards in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area earn a median $37,280 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,169 take-home, or $2,597 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Riverside, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,294
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,311
- Medicare (1.45%)$541
- California income tax$481
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$485
- Take-home pay$31,169
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Security Guard pay by experience in Riverside, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,430 | $17.03 | $29,781 | $2,482 |
| 25th percentile | $35,960 | $17.29 | $30,179 | $2,515 |
| Median (50th) | $37,280 | $17.92 | $31,169 | $2,597 |
| 75th percentile | $44,940 | $21.61 | $36,918 | $3,077 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,120 | $26.98 | $45,126 | $3,761 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $37,280 buys in Riverside, CA
Prices in Riverside, CA are 6.4% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.29× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $31,169 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,283 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Riverside, CA has 1.6× 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
Riverside, CA ranks #69 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 |
| 69 | Riverside, CA | $37,280 | $31,169 | $29,283 |
*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 California
- San Jose, CA — $46,250
- San Francisco, CA — $45,730
- Sacramento, CA — $39,460
- Stockton, CA — $38,530
- Fresno, CA — $37,180
- Los Angeles, CA — $40,030
- San Diego, CA — $38,500
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Riverside, CA?
The median security guard salary in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area is $37,280 a year, or about $17.92 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,960 and $44,940.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Riverside, CA?
On the median $37,280 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $31,169 a year ($2,597 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $965 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Riverside, CA a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 6.4% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,283 would in a typical U.S. city. Riverside, CA ranks #69 of 77 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Riverside, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Riverside, CA is $1,777 a month ($2,201 for two bedrooms) — 68% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Riverside, CA
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $101,870
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $94,730
- Firefighter — $79,160
- Protective Service Workers, All Other — $43,050