Security Guards Salary in Knoxville, TN
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Knoxville, TN
Median annual salary
$35,960
-6.3% vs national
Median hourly
$17.29
10th percentile
$29,250
90th percentile
$63,210
Employed locally
2,940
National median
$38,370
Compare Security Guards salary & buying power
Type a city below to see how Knoxville, TN stacks up on salary and cost of living.
Security Guards
in
Knoxville, TN
vs
Salary percentile breakdown
Knoxville economic context
Unemployment rate
3.20%
2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
Median household income
$69,734
2023 • Census ACS
Security Guards salary vs area income
52%
Median Security Guards salary is 48% below the area median household income
Frequently asked questions
How much do Security Guards make per hour in Knoxville?
The median hourly wage for Security Guards in Knoxville, TN is $17.29, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $27.41 or more per hour.
Is Knoxville above or below average for Security Guards salaries?
The median Security Guards salary in Knoxville, TN 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 Knoxville?
Entry-level Security Guards (10th percentile) earn around $29,250 per year in Knoxville, TN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $30,350.