SOC 33-9032 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Security Guards — Lancaster
Lancaster, PA · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Security Guards in Lancaster, PA is $38,090 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 Lancaster, PA is $38,090 per year, close to the national median of $38,020 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $34,150 and $44,430. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $30,500 and the ninetieth at $54,450.
Employment stands at 880, or 3.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Chambersburg records the highest median at $42,130. Of the 433 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 373rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,500 | −19.8% |
| 25th | $34,150 | −10.2% |
| Median (50th) | $38,090 | +0.2% |
| 75th | $44,430 | +16.9% |
| 90th | $54,450 | +43.2% |
| Mean | $40,720 | +7.1% |
Other metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chambersburg | $42,130 | 210 | |
| 2 | Gettysburg | $39,500 | 130 | |
| 3 | Reading | $38,960 | 1,050 | |
| 4 | Harrisburg | $37,880 | 2,320 | |
| 5 | Lebanon | $37,470 | 130 | |
| 6 | Philadelphia | $37,450 | 25,460 | |
| 7 | Allentown | $36,020 | 2,570 | |
| 8 | Altoona | $35,900 | 230 | |
| 9 | Pittsburgh | $35,850 | 9,250 | |
| 10 | York | $35,660 | 830 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Lancaster run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $38,090 goes as far as $39,027 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 2.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$38,090as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$39,027US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $38,090 a year, 0.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $30,500 to $54,450 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 880 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Chambersburg, at $42,130.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Security Guards in Lancaster, PA?
The median annual wage is $38,090, or $18.31 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 Lancaster, PA is 0.2% 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 Lancaster, PA earns more than $54,450 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $30,500 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 Chambersburg, at $42,130 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 880 jobs in this occupation in Lancaster, PA. 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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