Security Guards Salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Memphis, TN-MS-AR

Median annual salary $35,250 -8.1% vs national
Median hourly $16.95
10th percentile $29,080
90th percentile $55,240
Employed locally 8,410
National median $38,370

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Type a city below to see how Memphis, TN-MS-AR stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Security Guards
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Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,080
    25th
    $30,450
    50th (median)
    $35,250
    75th
    $37,750
    90th
    $55,240

    Memphis economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $64,743 2023 • Census ACS
    Security Guards salary vs area income 54% Median Security Guards salary is 46% 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
    Chattanooga, TN-GA $35,550
    Jackson, TN $35,250

    Related occupations in Memphis, TN-MS-AR

    OccupationMedian salary
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $72,760
    Firefighters $63,650
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $54,410
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $79,980
    First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers $50,900
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers $83,300

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Security Guards make per hour in Memphis?

    The median hourly wage for Security Guards in Memphis, TN-MS-AR is $16.95, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.08 or more per hour.

    Is Memphis above or below average for Security Guards salaries?

    The median Security Guards salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR is 8.1% 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 Memphis?

    Entry-level Security Guards (10th percentile) earn around $29,080 per year in Memphis, TN-MS-AR. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $30,450.