SOC 33-9032 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Security Guards — Houma
Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA · 8 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Houma, LA is $29,040 a year, trailing the national median of $38,020 by 23.6%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Houma, LA is $29,040 a year, trailing the national median of $38,020 by 23.6%. Half of workers earn between $25,120 and $35,440. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $20,330 and the ninetieth at $45,400.
The area has 410 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.59 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Baton Rouge leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $36,500. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 242nd of 278 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $20,330 | −46.5% |
| 25th | $25,120 | −33.9% |
| Median (50th) | $29,040 | −23.6% |
| 75th | $35,440 | −6.8% |
| 90th | $45,400 | +19.4% |
| Mean | $30,820 | −18.9% |
Other metro areas in Louisiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baton Rouge | $36,500 | 2,810 | |
| 2 | Slidell | $34,260 | 400 | |
| 3 | New Orleans | $32,240 | 6,650 | |
| 4 | Hammond | $30,880 | — | |
| 5 | Shreveport | $30,720 | 1,130 | |
| 6 | Lafayette | $30,090 | 900 | |
| 7 | Lake Charles | $29,740 | 870 | |
| 8 | Alexandria | $29,430 | 410 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Houma run 11.8% below the national average, so the median of $29,040 goes as far as $32,925 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 13.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$29,040as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$32,925US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $29,040 a year, 23.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $20,330 to $45,400 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 410 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Baton Rouge, at $36,500.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Security Guards in Houma, LA?
The median annual wage is $29,040, or $13.96 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 Houma, LA is 23.6% 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 Houma, LA earns more than $45,400 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $20,330 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 Baton Rouge, at $36,500 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 410 jobs in this occupation in Houma, LA. 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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