Security Guard Salary in Seattle, WA
Security Guards in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median $47,490 a year — 25% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $40,338 take-home, or $3,362 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Seattle, WA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,519
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,944
- Medicare (1.45%)$689
- Washington income tax$0
- Take-home pay$40,338
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Security Guard pay by experience in Seattle, WA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,990 | $18.75 | $33,508 | $2,792 |
| 25th percentile | $44,460 | $21.38 | $37,904 | $3,159 |
| Median (50th) | $47,490 | $22.83 | $40,338 | $3,362 |
| 75th percentile | $57,990 | $27.88 | $48,775 | $4,065 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,040 | $32.71 | $56,696 | $4,725 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Washington resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $47,490 buys in Seattle, WA
Prices in Seattle, WA are 11.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $40,338 take-home pay has the buying power of $36,297 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 Seattle, WA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.99).
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Seattle, WA ranks #5 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.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Seattle, WA?
The median security guard salary in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $47,490 a year, or about $22.83 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $44,460 and $57,990.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Seattle, WA?
On the median $47,490 salary, a single filer living in Washington takes home about $40,338 a year ($3,362 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Seattle, WA a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 25% above the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 11.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $36,297 would in a typical U.S. city. Seattle, WA ranks #5 of 77 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Seattle, WA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Seattle, WA is $2,022 a month ($2,379 for two bedrooms) — 60% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Seattle, WA
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $115,120
- Firefighter — $101,090
- Protective Service Workers, All Other — $42,170
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $39,240