Security Guard Salary in Urban Honolulu, HI
Security Guards in the Urban Honolulu, HI metro area earn a median $42,580 a year — 12% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $34,643 take-home, or $2,887 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Urban Honolulu, HI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,930
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,640
- Medicare (1.45%)$617
- Hawaii income tax$1,750
- Take-home pay$34,643
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 7.20% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Security Guard pay by experience in Urban Honolulu, HI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,140 | $16.89 | $29,175 | $2,431 |
| 25th percentile | $36,300 | $17.45 | $30,028 | $2,502 |
| Median (50th) | $42,580 | $20.47 | $34,643 | $2,887 |
| 75th percentile | $43,720 | $21.02 | $35,477 | $2,956 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,330 | $27.08 | $44,690 | $3,724 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Hawaii resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $42,580 buys in Urban Honolulu, HI
Prices in Urban Honolulu, HI are 11.0% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.36× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $34,643 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,221 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Urban Honolulu, HI has 2.3× 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
Urban Honolulu, HI ranks #48 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 |
| 48 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $42,580 | $34,643 | $31,221 |
*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 Urban Honolulu, HI?
The median security guard salary in the Urban Honolulu, HI metro area is $42,580 a year, or about $20.47 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,300 and $43,720.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Urban Honolulu, HI?
On the median $42,580 salary, a single filer living in Hawaii takes home about $34,643 a year ($2,887 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,750 in Hawaii taxes in 2026.
Is Urban Honolulu, HI a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 12% above the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 11.0% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,221 would in a typical U.S. city. Urban Honolulu, HI ranks #48 of 77 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Urban Honolulu, HI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Urban Honolulu, HI is $2,016 a month ($2,642 for two bedrooms) — 70% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.