SOC 33-9032 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Security Guards — Baltimore
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD · 3 metro areas compared
The median wage for Security Guards in Baltimore, MD is $36,970 per year, close to the national median of $38,020 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Security Guards in Baltimore, MD is $36,970 per year, close to the national median of $38,020 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $35,390 and $45,460. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $32,810 and the ninetieth at $62,200.
The area has 16,020 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 11.8 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Lexington Park records the highest median at $44,880. Of the 646 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 599th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $32,810 | −13.7% |
| 25th | $35,390 | −6.9% |
| Median (50th) | $36,970 | −2.8% |
| 75th | $45,460 | +19.6% |
| 90th | $62,200 | +63.6% |
| Mean | $42,620 | +12.1% |
Other metro areas in Maryland
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington Park | $44,880 | 380 | |
| 2 | Salisbury | $37,180 | 240 | |
| 3 | Hagerstown | $33,990 | 760 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Baltimore run 5.0% above the national average, so the median of $36,970 buys what $35,210 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 7.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$36,970as reported by BLSLocal price level
105.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$35,210US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,970 a year, 2.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $32,810 to $62,200 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 16,020 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Lexington Park, at $44,880.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Security Guards in Baltimore, MD?
The median annual wage is $36,970, or $17.78 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $38,020, so pay in Baltimore, MD is 2.8% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Baltimore, MD earns more than $62,200 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $32,810 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Lexington Park, at $44,880 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 16,020 jobs in this occupation in Baltimore, MD. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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