Security Guards Salary in Columbia, MO

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, MO

Median annual salary $35,940 -6.3% vs national
Median hourly $17.28
10th percentile $29,380
90th percentile $49,590
Employed locally 630
National median $38,370

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Security Guards
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Columbia, MO
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,380
    25th
    $31,350
    50th (median)
    $35,940
    75th
    $44,980
    90th
    $49,590

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,463 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
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $49,270
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $46,740
    Kokomo, IN $46,710
    Vermont $42,800
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $42,710
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $42,480

    Related occupations in Columbia, MO

    OccupationMedian salary
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $62,820
    Firefighters $36,880
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $41,310
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $29,040
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $82,300
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers $60,020

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Security Guards make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Security Guards in Columbia, MO is $17.28, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $23.81 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Security Guards salaries?

    The median Security Guards salary in Columbia, MO is 6.3% 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 Columbia?

    Entry-level Security Guards (10th percentile) earn around $29,380 per year in Columbia, MO. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $31,350.