Security Guard Team Leader Salary in the United States

How much does a Security Guard Team Leader make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Security Guard Team Leader in the United States is $59,392 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $80,699
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $55,414 to $70,545
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $51,792

Key Factors That Influence Security Guard Team Leader Salaries

A Security Guard Team Leader'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 Team Leader Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Security Guard Team Leader'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $57,908
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $58,086
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $58,501
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $58,976
  • Expert (over 8 years): $59,725
Levels Salary
Entry Level Security Guard Team Leader$57,908
Intermediate Level Security Guard Team Leader$58,086
Senior Level Security Guard Team Leader$58,501
Specialist Level Security Guard Team Leader$58,976
Expert Level Security Guard Team Leader$59,725

Top Paying Cities for Security Guard Team Leader

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: $74,911
  • San Francisco: $74,091
  • Oakland: $72,530

What Skills Can Increase a Security Guard Team Leader's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 12.71% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Guest Service (Mentioned in 12.71% Job Postings): Guest services is a division of the hospitality industry. The goal of guest services is to provide customers with an enjoyable experience, primarily in the hotel and spa industry, sports facilities, and event venues.
  • Housekeeping (Mentioned in 12.71% Job Postings): Housekeeping department is keeping the venue clean and sanitary as part of customer service. Cleaners vacuum rugs and furniture in hallways, rooms and public areas. They collect trash and empty wastebaskets, change the sheets and make the beds.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 12.71%
Guest Service 12.71%
Housekeeping 12.71%

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 Team Leader's salary.

  • Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Verbal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Initiative $68,895
16%
Verbal Communication $62,956
6%

Security Guard Team Leader Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Security Guard Team Leader salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $66,486. While startup companies pay approximate $56,246.

Security Guard Team Leader Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $56,246
Growth Stage 51~500 $59,486
Established 501~5000 $64,204
Enterprise 5000+ $66,486

Security Guard Team Leader Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Security Guard Team Leader roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Security Guard Team Leader positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Security Guard Team Leader as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Security Guard Team Leader

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$89,088$43.050%

How Education impacts an Security Guard Team Leader's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Security Guard Team Leader 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 Team Leader with a Bachelor's Degree is between $60,389 and $65,677.

Security Guard Team Leader Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Security Guard Team Leader
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.8%
High School 50.5%
Associates 20.0%
Bachelors 21.9%
Masters 3.8%
Doctorate 0.0%

Security Guard Team Leader Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Security Guard Team Leader'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 August 01, 2026
$55,414
Average $59,392/year
$70,545
$4,618
Average $4,949/month
$5,879
$1,066
Average $1,142/week
$1,357
$27
Average $29/hour
$34
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $70,545 $5,879 $1,357 $34
Average $59,392 $4,949 $1,142 $29
25th Percentile $55,414 $4,618 $1,066 $27

Most common benefits for Security Guard Team Leader

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

Common company salaries for Security Guard Team Leader

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

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FAQ about Security Guard Team Leader

1. Where can a Security Guard Team Leader earn the most?

A Security Guard Team Leader'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 Team Leader earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Security Guard Team Leader is $74,911.

2. What is the highest pay for Security Guard Team Leader?

The highest pay for Security Guard Team Leader is $80,699.

3. What is the lowest pay for Security Guard Team Leader?

The lowest pay for Security Guard Team Leader is $51,792.

4. What are the responsibilities of Security Guard Team Leader?

Supervises a team of security guards that ensure the physical safety of all visitors, employees, or customers to the organization's facilities and the security of property and assets. Schedules security guard staff shifts. Assigns guards to patrol and inspect of buildings and grounds. Ensures protection from intruders, fire hazards, theft, and vandalism. Monitors security systems and responds to alarms, reports of issues, or requests for assistance. Ensures that all security events are logged, documented, and reported using standard procedures. Trains staff on policies and procedures for crisis response, disaster recovery, evacuation, workplace violence, and other emergency events. Updates team on local, state, provincial, or federal security-related information, directives, and events. Assists with investigations and critical event responses in coordination with law enforcement and other officials. Understands law enforcement methods, tactics, and procedures. Requires a high school diploma. Requires Basic Life Support (BLS). Typically reports to a manager. Supervises a small group of para-professional staff in an organization characterized by highly transactional or repetitive processes. Contributes to the development of processes and procedures. Typically requires 3 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. Thorough knowledge of functional area under supervision.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Security Guard Team Leader?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Security Guard Team Leader roles, with salaries approximately 50% 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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