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Security Guards Salary in California
Ranked #15 of 51 · CA
Salary Distribution (10th–90th percentile)
About 80% of security guardss in California earn between $36,010 and $57,880. The blue band is the middle 50% (P25–P75); the dot marks the median.
Compared to the U.S.
The mean security guards salary in California is $44,920, about 5.8% above the U.S. average ($42,470). That works out to roughly $22/hr at 2,080 hours per year.
Metro Areas in California
| Metro area | Median | Mean | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Napa, CA | $47,240 | $50,400 | 760 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $46,250 | $51,020 | 11,800 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $45,730 | $50,270 | 26,830 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $45,160 | $46,490 | 1,560 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $43,610 | $47,870 | 470 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $43,250 | $44,970 | 800 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $42,980 | $51,110 | 530 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $42,940 | $44,920 | 360 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do security guards make in California?
The median security guards salary in California is $43,240 per year (mean $44,920), and about 80% earn between $36,010 and $57,880.
How much do security guards make per hour in California?
Roughly $22 per hour, based on a mean annual wage of $44,920 and 2,080 work hours per year.
Is California a high-paying state for security guards?
California ranks #15 of 51 states for security guards pay. Its mean salary of $44,920 is about 5.8% above the U.S. average of $42,470.
Which metro areas in California pay security guards the most?
The highest-paying metro areas in California for security guards are Napa, CA ($47,240), San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($46,250), San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ($45,730), by median annual wage.