Security Guards Salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chattanooga, TN-GA

Median annual salary $35,550 -7.3% vs national
Median hourly $17.09
10th percentile $25,530
90th percentile $60,200
Employed locally 1,870
National median $38,370

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Security Guards
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Chattanooga, TN-GA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $25,530
    25th
    $29,970
    50th (median)
    $35,550
    75th
    $44,200
    90th
    $60,200

    Chattanooga economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,666 2023 • Census ACS
    Security Guards salary vs area income 52% Median Security Guards salary is 48% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Security Guards

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $87,770
    Idaho Falls, ID $79,470
    District of Columbia $63,130
    Northwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area $56,380
    Fairbanks-College, AK $52,850
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $51,320

    Nearby metros — Security Guards salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $37,730
    Clarksville, TN-KY $36,090
    Knoxville, TN $35,960
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $35,870
    Jackson, TN $35,250
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $35,250

    Related occupations in Chattanooga, TN-GA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $49,150
    Firefighters $45,560
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $49,140
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $74,040
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers $77,060
    First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers $53,330

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Security Guards make per hour in Chattanooga?

    The median hourly wage for Security Guards in Chattanooga, TN-GA is $17.09, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.50 or more per hour.

    Is Chattanooga above or below average for Security Guards salaries?

    The median Security Guards salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA is 7.3% 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 Chattanooga?

    Entry-level Security Guards (10th percentile) earn around $25,530 per year in Chattanooga, TN-GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,970.