SOC 33-9032 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Security Guards — District of Columbia
District of Columbia · 1 metro areas compared
The median wage for Security Guards in District of Columbia is $64,210 per year, well above the national median of $38,020.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Security Guards in District of Columbia is $64,210 per year, well above the national median of $38,020. The gap of 68.9% is among the widest recorded for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $45,510 and $74,200. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $36,600 and the ninetieth at $78,910.
The area has 15,880 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 22.6 of every thousand jobs. District of Columbia ranks number 1st out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Washington records the highest median at $46,830. Of the 465 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 311th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,600 | −3.7% |
| 25th | $45,510 | +19.7% |
| Median (50th) | $64,210 | +68.9% |
| 75th | $74,200 | +95.2% |
| 90th | $78,910 | +107.5% |
| Mean | $60,720 | +59.7% |
Highest-paying metro areas in District of Columbia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $46,830 | 40,950 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in District of Columbia run 9.9% above the national average, so the median of $64,210 buys what $58,426 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 53.7% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$64,210as reported by BLSLocal price level
109.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$58,426US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $64,210 a year, 68.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,600 to $78,910 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 15,880 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 1st of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Washington, at $46,830.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Security Guards in District of Columbia?
The median annual wage is $64,210, or $30.87 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 District of Columbia is 68.9% higher. 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 District of Columbia earns more than $78,910 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,600 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 Washington, at $46,830 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 15,880 jobs in this occupation in District of Columbia. 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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