Security Guard Salary in San Diego, CA
Security Guards in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median $38,500 a year — 1% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $32,085 take-home, or $2,674 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in San Diego, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,440
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,387
- Medicare (1.45%)$558
- California income tax$529
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$501
- Take-home pay$32,085
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 San Diego, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,090 | $17.35 | $30,276 | $2,523 |
| 25th percentile | $37,150 | $17.86 | $31,072 | $2,589 |
| Median (50th) | $38,500 | $18.51 | $32,085 | $2,674 |
| 75th percentile | $45,580 | $21.91 | $37,398 | $3,117 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $53,310 | $25.63 | $43,073 | $3,589 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $38,500 buys in San Diego, CA
Prices in San Diego, CA are 11.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.79× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $32,085 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,676 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
San Diego, CA has 1.3× 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
San Diego, CA ranks #75 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 |
| 75 | San Diego, CA | $38,500 | $32,085 | $28,676 |
*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
- Riverside, CA — $37,280
- Los Angeles, CA — $40,030
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in San Diego, CA?
The median security guard salary in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $38,500 a year, or about $18.51 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $37,150 and $45,580.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in San Diego, CA?
On the median $38,500 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $32,085 a year ($2,674 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,030 in California taxes in 2026.
Is San Diego, CA a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 1% above the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 11.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,676 would in a typical U.S. city. San Diego, CA ranks #75 of 77 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in San Diego, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in San Diego, CA is $2,459 a month ($3,001 for two bedrooms) — 92% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in San Diego, CA
- Detective and Criminal Investigator — $124,840
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $110,400
- Firefighter — $70,900
- Protective Service Workers, All Other — $44,270
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $43,050