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Occupation · SOC 33-9032

Security Guards

There are 1,283,470 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $38,020 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

Protective ServiceTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
1,283,470
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$38,020
Median pay a year
Middle half: $35,210–$46,200
156,000
Annual openings
10-year change: +0.9%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 389 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $43,980 · LCA filings 0142,760$43,9800
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $40,030 · LCA filings 083,280$40,0300
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $39,990 · LCA filings 048,360$39,9900
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $36,040 · LCA filings 041,530$36,0400
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $46,830 · LCA filings 040,950$46,8300
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $36,680 · LCA filings 034,000$36,6800
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $35,460 · LCA filings 029,250$35,4600
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $45,730 · LCA filings 026,830$45,7300
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $37,450 · LCA filings 025,460$37,4500
Las Vegas–Henderson–North Las Vegas, NVMedian pay $37,210 · LCA filings 023,800$37,2100

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Idaho Falls, IDEmployment 570 · LCA filings 0$78,6805700
Fairbanks–College, AKEmployment 130 · LCA filings 0$60,4001300
Kennewick–Richland, WAEmployment 500 · LCA filings 0$54,6705000
Burlington–South Burlington, VTEmployment 410 · LCA filings 0$51,1704100
Ithaca, NYEmployment 240 · LCA filings 0$49,5402400

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $40,914 · Level III $46,093 · Level IV $51,251$35,755$40,914$46,093$51,251
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $40,165 · Level III $43,846 · Level IV $47,507$36,504$40,165$43,846$47,507
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $40,102 · Level III $44,304 · Level IV $48,526$35,880$40,102$44,304$48,526
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $34,445 · Level III $37,856 · Level IV $41,288$31,013$34,445$37,856$41,288
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $45,739 · Level III $54,350 · Level IV $62,962$37,128$45,739$54,350$62,962
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $34,278 · Level III $40,102 · Level IV $45,947$28,434$34,278$40,102$45,947
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $32,594 · Level III $38,210 · Level IV $43,805$26,998$32,594$38,210$43,805
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $46,134 · Level III $50,232 · Level IV $54,350$42,016$46,134$50,232$54,350
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $37,440 · Level III $42,141 · Level IV $46,842$32,739$37,440$42,141$46,842
Las Vegas–Henderson–North Las Vegas, NVLevel II $35,506 · Level III $39,312 · Level IV $43,139$31,678$35,506$39,312$43,139

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Criminal Justice and CorrectionsCIP 43.01OPT · up to 12 months800OPT · up to 12 months

See Security Guards in every metro area

All 389 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Protective Service

Police and Sheriff's Patrol OfficersLifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service WorkersCorrectional Officers and JailersFirefightersProtective Service Workers, All OtherCrossing Guards and FlaggersSchool Bus MonitorsFirst-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology