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Security Guard - Armed Salary in the United States

How much does a Security Guard - Armed make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Security Guard - Armed in the United States is $47,574 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.

However, a Security Guard - Armed's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $56,765
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $44,622 to $52,385
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $41,934
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Security Guard - Armed Salaries

A Security Guard - Armed'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Security Guard - Armed Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Security Guard - Armed'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:

  • Security Guard - Unarmed (0-1 years): $38,695
  • Security Guard - Armed (3-5 years): $47,574
  • Security Guard Team Leader (5+ years): $59,403
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Security Guard - Unarmed0-1 years$38,695
Security Guard - Armed3-5 years$47,574
Security Guard Team Leader5+ years$59,403
View as Graph

How Do Security Guard - Armeds Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Guard - Armeds. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $52,674.
  • California: $52,474.
  • Massachusetts: $51,775.

Top Paying Cities for Security Guard - Armed

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:

  • San Jose: $60,005
  • San Francisco: $59,348
  • Oakland: $58,097

What Skills Can Increase a Security Guard - Armed's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 26.84% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • First Aid (Mentioned in 4.25% Job Postings): First aid refers to medical attention that is usually administered immediately after the injury occurs and at the location where it occurred.
  • CCTV (Mentioned in 1.47% Job Postings):
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 26.84%
First Aid 4.25%
CCTV 1.47%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Security Guard - Armed's salary.

  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Diversity and Inclusion: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Problem Solving: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Commitment $52,331
10%
Diversity and Inclusion $50,428
6%
Problem Solving $49,953
5%
Get Latest Data

Security Guard - Armed Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Security Guard - Armed salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $53,166. While startup companies pay approximate $44,973.

Security Guard - Armed Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $44,973
Growth Stage 51~500 $47,563
Established 501~5000 $51,338
Enterprise 5000+ $53,166

Security Guard - Armed Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Security Guard - Armed roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Construction and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Security Guard - Armed positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Security Guard - Armed as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Security Guard - Armed

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Construction$61,846$30.030%
Pharmaceuticals$59,468$29.025%
Aerospace & Defense$57,089$27.020%
Business Services$54,710$26.015%
Healthcare$52,331$25.010%

How Education impacts an Security Guard - Armed's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Security Guard - Armed enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Security Guard - Armed with a Bachelor's Degree is between $46,220 and $49,417.

Security Guard - Armed Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Security Guard - Armed
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.1%
High School 51.6%
Associates 29.0%
Bachelors 12.9%
Masters 4.3%
Doctorate 1.1%
View as Graph

Security Guard - Armed Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Security Guard - Armed'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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$44,622
Average $47,574/year
$52,385
$3,719
Average $3,965/month
$4,365
$858
Average $915/week
$1,007
$21
Average $23/hour
$25
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $52,385 $4,365 $1,007 $25
Average $47,574 $3,965 $915 $23
25th Percentile $44,622 $3,719 $858 $21

Security Guard - Armed Salary Growth & Career Path

Security Guard - Armed

Next Role

For a Security Guard - Armed, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Security Guard Team Leader role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $59,403 - a projected growth of 25% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Security Guard - Armed

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Security Guard - Armed

Here are companies hiring for Security Guard - Armed and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Security Guard - Armed

1. Where can a Security Guard - Armed earn the most?

A Security Guard - Armed's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Security Guard - Armed earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Security Guard - Armed is $60,005.

2. What is the highest pay for Security Guard - Armed?

The highest pay for Security Guard - Armed is $56,765.

3. What is the lowest pay for Security Guard - Armed?

The lowest pay for Security Guard - Armed is $41,934.

4. What are the responsibilities of Security Guard - Armed?

Provides security and guards buildings, grounds, materials, work sites, or other venues. Monitors security systems and responds to alarms, reports of issues, or requests for assistance. Patrols an assigned location. Follows required gate-keeping procedures such as verifying visitor credentials, conducting inspections, or preparing paperwork. May operate an access control or identity system to control building access. Completes shift activity logs and inputs to systems. Typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Requires Basic Life Support (BLS). Typically requires Firearms Certification. Requires Security Guard License. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works independently within established procedures associated with the specific job function. Has gained proficiency in multiple competencies relevant to the job. Typically requires 3-5 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Security Guard - Armed?

The Construction industry offers the highest average compensation for Security Guard - Armed roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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