Security Guard Salary in Rochester, NY
Security Guards in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median $42,860 a year — 13% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $34,901 take-home, or $2,908 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Rochester, NY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,963
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,657
- Medicare (1.45%)$621
- New York income tax$1,717
- Take-home pay$34,901
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.40% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Security Guard pay by experience in Rochester, NY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,980 | $16.82 | $28,995 | $2,416 |
| 25th percentile | $36,960 | $17.77 | $30,479 | $2,540 |
| Median (50th) | $42,860 | $20.61 | $34,901 | $2,908 |
| 75th percentile | $49,230 | $23.67 | $39,675 | $3,306 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,790 | $29.23 | $48,339 | $4,028 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New York resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $42,860 buys in Rochester, NY
Prices in Rochester, NY are 3.0% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 13% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $34,901 take-home pay has the buying power of $35,967 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 Rochester, NY as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.81).
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Rochester, NY ranks #6 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 |
*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 New York
- Albany, NY — $43,250
- Buffalo, NY — $38,420
- Kiryas Joel, NY — $42,910
- New York, NY — $43,980
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Rochester, NY?
The median security guard salary in the Rochester, NY metro area is $42,860 a year, or about $20.61 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,960 and $49,230.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Rochester, NY?
On the median $42,860 salary, a single filer living in New York takes home about $34,901 a year ($2,908 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,717 in New York taxes in 2026.
Is Rochester, NY a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 13% above the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 3.0% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $35,967 would in a typical U.S. city. Rochester, NY ranks #6 of 77 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Rochester, NY?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Rochester, NY is $1,256 a month ($1,573 for two bedrooms) — 43% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.