SOC 33-9032 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Security Guards — Detroit
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Security Guards in Detroit, MI is $37,050 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 Detroit, MI is $37,050 per year, close to the national median of $38,020 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $34,400 and $47,040. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $29,170 and the ninetieth at $54,940.
Employment stands at 12,570, or 6.6 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Ann Arbor records the highest median at $42,100. Of the 671 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 610th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,170 | −23.3% |
| 25th | $34,400 | −9.5% |
| Median (50th) | $37,050 | −2.6% |
| 75th | $47,040 | +23.7% |
| 90th | $54,940 | +44.5% |
| Mean | $40,790 | +7.3% |
Other metro areas in Michigan
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ann Arbor | $42,100 | 630 | |
| 2 | Midland | $40,880 | 120 | |
| 3 | Grand Rapids | $40,810 | 3,100 | |
| 4 | Saginaw | $40,730 | 210 | |
| 5 | Traverse City | $40,060 | 180 | |
| 6 | Jackson | $38,750 | 170 | |
| 7 | Lansing | $38,210 | 550 | |
| 8 | Kalamazoo | $37,340 | 470 | |
| 9 | Battle Creek | $37,200 | 280 | |
| 10 | Niles | $35,690 | 740 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Detroit run 3.8% below the national average, so the median of $37,050 goes as far as $38,514 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 1.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$37,050as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$38,514US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $37,050 a year, 2.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $29,170 to $54,940 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 12,570 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Ann Arbor, at $42,100.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Security Guards in Detroit, MI?
The median annual wage is $37,050, or $17.81 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 Detroit, MI is 2.6% 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 Detroit, MI earns more than $54,940 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $29,170 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 Ann Arbor, at $42,100 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 12,570 jobs in this occupation in Detroit, MI. 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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