Security Guard Salary in Virginia Beach, VA
Security Guards in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median $37,230 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,768 take-home, or $2,564 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Virginia Beach, VA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,288
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,308
- Medicare (1.45%)$540
- Virginia income tax$1,327
- Take-home pay$30,768
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.75% state
The Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro spans Virginia, North Carolina. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Security Guard pay by experience in Virginia Beach, VA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,830 | $14.82 | $25,993 | $2,166 |
| 25th percentile | $34,810 | $16.74 | $28,962 | $2,414 |
| Median (50th) | $37,230 | $17.90 | $30,768 | $2,564 |
| 75th percentile | $46,730 | $22.47 | $37,855 | $3,155 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,710 | $30.15 | $49,776 | $4,148 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Virginia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $37,230 buys in Virginia Beach, VA
Prices in Virginia Beach, VA are 2.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 0% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $30,768 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,415 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 Virginia Beach, VA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.19).
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Virginia Beach, VA ranks #45 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 |
| 45 | Virginia Beach, VA | $37,230 | $30,768 | $31,415 |
*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 Virginia
- Richmond, VA — $36,960
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Virginia Beach, VA?
The median security guard salary in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $37,230 a year, or about $17.90 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $34,810 and $46,730.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Virginia Beach, VA?
On the median $37,230 salary, a single filer living in Virginia takes home about $30,768 a year ($2,564 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,327 in Virginia taxes in 2026.
Is Virginia Beach, VA a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 2.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,415 would in a typical U.S. city. Virginia Beach, VA ranks #45 of 77 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Virginia Beach, VA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Virginia Beach, VA is $1,508 a month ($1,708 for two bedrooms) — 59% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach, VA
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $59,690
- Firefighter — $56,940