Lead Security Guard Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Security Guard in the United States is $68,584 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $83,675
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $64,519 to $76,483
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $60,818
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View as table View as graph 25% $64,519 10% $60,818 90% $83,675 75% $76,483 $68,584 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Lead Security Guard Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $76,483 $6,374 $1,471 $37
Average $68,584 $5,715 $1,319 $33
25th Percentile $64,519 $5,377 $1,241 $31
Check out Lead Security Guard Job Openings in the United States
Security Guard

Phenom People - Columbus, OH

Security Guard

National Church Residences - Columbus, OH

Security Guard

Brookdale Senior Living - Columbus, OH

Security Guard

Allied Universal - Columbus, OH

Search More Lead Security Guard Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Lead Security Guard Salaries

A Lead Security Guard'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 Lead Security Guard Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Lead Security Guard'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): $64,235
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $87,028
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $69,431
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $91,189
  • Expert (over 8 years): $106,751
Levels Salary
Security ... Level Lead Security Guard$64,235
Senior Se... Level Lead Security Guard$87,028
Lead Secu... Level Lead Security Guard$69,431
Security ... Level Lead Security Guard$91,189
Security ... Level Lead Security Guard$106,751
$64,235 0 yr
$87,028 < 2 yrs
$69,431 2-4 yrs
$91,189 5-8 yrs
$106,751 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Lead Security Guard 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 Lead Security Guards. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $75,936.
  • California: $75,648.
  • Massachusetts: $74,640.

Top Paying Cities for Lead Security Guards

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: $86,505
  • San Francisco: $85,558
  • Oakland: $83,755

What Skills Can Increase a Lead Security Guard's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 12.81% 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.
  • CPR (Mentioned in 1.41% Job Postings): Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) combines rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth) and chest compressions to temporarily pump enough blood to the brain until specialized treatment is available.
  • Personnel Security (Mentioned in 1.05% Job Postings): Controlling and assessing all personnel to enforce compliance with the information security program.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 12.81%
CPR 1.41%
Personnel Security 1.05%
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 Lead Security Guard's salary.
  • Field Operations: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Field Operations
$76,128
11%
Initiative
$75,443
10%
Commitment
$74,757
9%
Empowerment
$74,071
8%
Diversity and Inclusion
$74,071
8%
Service Quality
$74,071
8%
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Lead Security Guard Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Lead Security Guard 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 Energy & Utilities and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Lead Security Guard positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lead Security Guard as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Lead Security Guard

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$85,730$41.025%
Biotechnology$82,301$40.020%
Software & Networking$82,301$40.020%
Financial Services$78,872$38.015%
Chemicals$75,443$36.010%

How Education impacts a Lead Security Guard's Salary?

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

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Lead Security Guard with a Associate's Degree is between $68,448 and $74,314).

Lead Security Guard Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Lead Security Guard
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 4.3%
High School 38.3%
Associates 21.3%
Bachelors 29.8%
Masters 6.4%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Lead Security Guard Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Lead Security Guard'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

Salary Trends for Lead Security Guard

Salaries for a Lead Security Guard can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $60,175 in 2023 to around $59,403 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Lead Security Guard salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Lead Security Guard Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$60,175
2024
$59,931
2025
$59,403
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $60,175
2024 $59,931
2025 $59,403
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Lead Security Guard

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Lead Security Guard

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

Find Your Next Lead Security Guard Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Lead Security Guard job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Aegis Protective Services

    Columbus, OH

    Aegis Protective Services | Columbus, OH

    Third Shift, Full Time (40 Hours), $17/hrMust have valid driver's license, customer service and security experience.Security Officers are responsible for p... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Alpha Protective Services LLC

    Columbus, OH

    Alpha Protective Services LLC | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Job Summary Guards. patrols, and monitors premises to prevent theft, violence, and rule infractions. General Accountabili... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio

    Columbus, OH

    Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Facility Security GuardPart Time | Days | Saturday & Sunday | 10:30am - 7 pm Pay: Starting at $16/hr (Based on. experienc... more

    6 Days Ago

  • ASAP Security

    Columbus, OH

    ASAP Security | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. ARMED SECURITY OFFICER – TRAVELING / ROAMING OFFICER. Monday through Friday | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Full-Time. American Ser... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Allied Universal

    Columbus, OH

    Allied Universal | Columbus, OH

    Allied Universal - - Responsibilities: Provide customer service to clients at sites and monitor access points. Screen individuals, visitors, and authorized... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Allied Universal

    Columbus, OH

    Allied Universal | Columbus, OH

    Allied Universal - - Responsibilities: Provide customer service to clients at security screening points. Screen visitors and belongings per site policies. ... more

    5 Days Ago

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FAQ about Lead Security Guard

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Lead Security Guard?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Lead Security Guard roles, with salaries approximately 25% 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.)

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