Security Guards Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $38,630 +0.7% vs national
Median hourly $18.57
10th percentile $36,050
90th percentile $59,190
Employed locally 48,140
National median $38,370

Compare Security Guards salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Chicago, IL-IN stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Security Guards
in
Chicago, IL-IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,050
    25th
    $37,020
    50th (median)
    $38,630
    75th
    $46,570
    90th
    $59,190

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Security Guards salary vs area income 43% Median Security Guards salary is 57% 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
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $51,320
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $47,270
    Greenville, NC $47,050
    Hinesville, GA $47,050
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $46,030
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $44,960

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$108,890
    Firefighters$88,290
    Correctional Officers and Jailers$85,400
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$33,820
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$136,440
    School Bus Monitors$35,660

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Security Guards make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Security Guards in Chicago, IL-IN is $18.57, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.86 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Security Guards salaries?

    The median Security Guards salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 0.7% above 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 Chicago?

    Entry-level Security Guards (10th percentile) earn around $36,050 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,020.