Security Guards Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $46,030 +20% vs national
Median hourly $22.13
10th percentile $36,090
90th percentile $63,420
Employed locally 530
National median $38,370

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Security Guards
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Santa Cruz, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,090
    25th
    $37,880
    50th (median)
    $46,030
    75th
    $54,480
    90th
    $63,420

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Security Guards salary vs area income 42% Median Security Guards salary is 58% 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
    Ithaca, NY $48,480
    Northwestern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area $47,270
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $46,740
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $45,930
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $45,860
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $45,650

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$123,140
    Firefighters$74,130
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$37,520
    Correctional Officers and Jailers$81,910
    Protective Service Workers, All Other$38,910
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$158,430

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Security Guards make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Security Guards in Santa Cruz, CA is $22.13, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $32.51 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Security Guards salaries?

    The median Security Guards salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 20% 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Security Guards (10th percentile) earn around $36,090 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,880.