Security Guards Salary in Santa Maria, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

Median annual salary $42,730 +11.4% vs national
Median hourly $20.54
10th percentile $34,750
90th percentile $58,740
Employed locally 840
National median $38,370

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Security Guards
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Santa Maria, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $34,750
    25th
    $36,210
    50th (median)
    $42,730
    75th
    $49,730
    90th
    $58,740

    Santa Maria economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $95,977 2023 • Census ACS
    Security Guards salary vs area income 45% Median Security Guards salary is 55% 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
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $46,030
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $45,930
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $45,860

    Related occupations in Santa Maria, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $119,580
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $94,740
    Protective Service Workers, All Other $39,470
    Firefighters $74,860
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $38,750
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers $133,600

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Security Guards in Santa Maria, CA is $20.54, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $28.03 or more per hour.

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

    The median Security Guards salary in Santa Maria, CA is 11.4% 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 Maria?

    Entry-level Security Guards (10th percentile) earn around $34,750 per year in Santa Maria, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $36,210.