Security Guards Salary in Durham, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Median annual salary $39,070 +1.8% vs national
Median hourly $18.79
10th percentile $29,800
90th percentile $84,210
Employed locally 1,840
National median $38,370

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Security Guards
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Durham, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,800
    25th
    $30,930
    50th (median)
    $39,070
    75th
    $48,690
    90th
    $84,210

    Durham economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $81,017 2023 • Census ACS
    Security Guards salary vs area income 48% Median Security Guards salary is 52% 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
    North Northeastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area (noncontiguous) $48,270
    Anchorage, AK $48,260
    Greenville, NC $47,050
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $46,740
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $44,960
    Lynchburg, VA $42,890

    Related occupations in Durham, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Firefighters$37,860
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$59,840
    Crossing Guards and Flaggers$35,770
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$29,480
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$96,770
    Correctional Officers and Jailers$50,020

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Security Guards make per hour in Durham?

    The median hourly wage for Security Guards in Durham, NC is $18.79, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $28.42 or more per hour.

    Is Durham above or below average for Security Guards salaries?

    The median Security Guards salary in Durham, NC is 1.8% 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 Durham?

    Entry-level Security Guards (10th percentile) earn around $29,800 per year in Durham, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $30,930.