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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Security Associate in Pennsylvania is $38,600 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.
However, a Security Associate's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Security Associate Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $40,400 | $3,367 | $777 | $19 |
| Average | $38,600 | $3,217 | $742 | $19 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,800 | $2,983 | $688 | $17 |
Holistic Industries - Sinking Spring, PA
The Salvation Army Eastern Territory - Philadelphia, PA
University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia, PA
Holistic Industries - Cranberry Township, PA
A Security Associate's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Security Associate's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Security Associate | 0-1 years | $38,522 |
| Security Guard II | 3-5 years | $47,352 |
| Security Patrol Supervisor | 5+ years | $59,125 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Security Associates. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Security Associate salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $43,210. While startup companies pay approximate $36,555.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $36,555 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $38,661 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $41,727 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $43,210 |
For Security Associate roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 90% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Security Associate positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Security Associate as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $54,040 | $26.0 | 40% |
| Biotechnology | $50,180 | $24.0 | 30% |
| Financial Services | $48,250 | $23.0 | 25% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $46,320 | $22.0 | 20% |
| Software & Networking | $46,320 | $22.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Security Associate's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $40,400 | $3,367 | $777 | $19 |
| Average | $38,600 | $3,217 | $742 | $19 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,800 | $2,983 | $688 | $17 |
For a Security Associate, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Security Guard II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $47,400 - a projected growth of 23% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Security Associate job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Holistic Industries
Philadelphia, PA
Holistic Industries | Philadelphia, PA
Job Description. Job Description. Role. Security Monitoring Associate, Part Time. Location: Philadelphia, PA. Part Time. We are Growers, We are Wholesalers... more
6 Days Ago
Holistic Industries
Aliquippa, PA
Holistic Industries | Aliquippa, PA
Job Description. Job Description. Role. Security Monitoring Associate, Part Time. Location: Aliquippa, PA. Part Time. We are Growers, We are Wholesalers, W... more
7 Days Ago
Holistic Industries
Norristown, PA
Holistic Industries | Norristown, PA
Job Description. Job Description. Role. Security Monitoring Associate, Part Time. Location: Norristown, PA. Part Time. We are Growers, We are Wholesalers, ... more
8 Days Ago
Holistic Industries
Bensalem Township, PA
Holistic Industries | Bensalem Township, PA
Job Description. Job Description. Role. Security Monitoring Associate, Part Time. Location: Bensalem, PA. Part Time. We are Growers, We are Wholesalers, We... more
8 Days Ago
Confidential
Philadelphia, PA
Confidential | Philadelphia, PA
Associate Vice President, Security Engineering & Operations. About the Company. Innovative provider of content, process & case management software solution... more
17 Days Ago
Confidential
Philadelphia, PA
Confidential | Philadelphia, PA
Associate Vice President, Security Engineering & Operations. About the Company. Innovative provider of content, process & case management software solution... more
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