Security Guards Salary in Ames, IA
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ames, IA
Median annual salary
$37,510
-2.2% vs national
Median hourly
$18.03
10th percentile
$30,700
90th percentile
$45,530
Employed locally
170
National median
$38,370
Compare Security Guards salary & buying power
Type a city below to see how Ames, IA stacks up on salary and cost of living.
Security Guards
in
Ames, IA
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Salary percentile breakdown
Ames economic context
Unemployment rate
2.40%
2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
Median household income
$71,090
2023 • Census ACS
Security Guards salary vs area income
53%
Median Security Guards salary is 47% below the area median household income
Frequently asked questions
How much do Security Guards make per hour in Ames?
The median hourly wage for Security Guards in Ames, IA is $18.03, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $25.61 or more per hour.
Is Ames above or below average for Security Guards salaries?
The median Security Guards salary in Ames, IA is 2.2% below the national median of $38,370. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.
What is the entry-level salary for Security Guards in Ames?
Entry-level Security Guards (10th percentile) earn around $30,700 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $36,640.