Security Guard Salary in Trenton, NJ
Security Guards in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn a median $34,980 a year — 8% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,762 take-home, or $2,480 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Trenton, NJ. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,018
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,169
- Medicare (1.45%)$507
- New Jersey income tax$525
- Take-home pay$29,762
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 1.75% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Security Guard pay by experience in Trenton, NJ
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,220 | $15.49 | $27,592 | $2,299 |
| 25th percentile | $34,110 | $16.40 | $29,078 | $2,423 |
| Median (50th) | $34,980 | $16.82 | $29,762 | $2,480 |
| 75th percentile | $47,040 | $22.62 | $38,925 | $3,244 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,540 | $28.63 | $48,279 | $4,023 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New Jersey resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $34,980 buys in Trenton, NJ
Prices in Trenton, NJ are 3.2% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.35× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $29,762 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,845 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Trenton, NJ 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
Trenton, NJ ranks #74 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 |
| 74 | Trenton, NJ | $34,980 | $29,762 | $28,845 |
*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 Jersey
- Atlantic City, NJ — $39,900
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Trenton, NJ?
The median security guard salary in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area is $34,980 a year, or about $16.82 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $34,110 and $47,040.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Trenton, NJ?
On the median $34,980 salary, a single filer living in New Jersey takes home about $29,762 a year ($2,480 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $525 in New Jersey taxes in 2026.
Is Trenton, NJ a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 8% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 3.2% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,845 would in a typical U.S. city. Trenton, NJ ranks #74 of 77 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Trenton, NJ?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Trenton, NJ is $1,545 a month ($1,950 for two bedrooms) — 62% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.