SOC 33-9032 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Security Guards — Southwestern Pennsylvania
Southwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $35,060 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $38,020.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $35,060 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $38,020. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $30,880 and $40,740. The lowest tenth earn under $29,620, while the highest tenth earn more than $47,150.
The area has 430 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.37 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Chambersburg records the highest median at $42,130. Of the 364 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 320th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,620 | −22.1% |
| 25th | $30,880 | −18.8% |
| Median (50th) | $35,060 | −7.8% |
| 75th | $40,740 | +7.2% |
| 90th | $47,150 | +24.0% |
| Mean | $36,670 | −3.6% |
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 | Lancaster | $38,090 | 880 | |
| 5 | Harrisburg | $37,880 | 2,320 | |
| 6 | Lebanon | $37,470 | 130 | |
| 7 | Philadelphia | $37,450 | 25,460 | |
| 8 | Allentown | $36,020 | 2,570 | |
| 9 | Altoona | $35,900 | 230 | |
| 10 | Pittsburgh | $35,850 | 9,250 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southwestern Pennsylvania run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $35,060 goes as far as $35,922 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 5.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$35,060as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$35,922US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $35,060 a year, 7.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $29,620 to $47,150 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 430 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 Southwestern Pennsylvania, PA?
The median annual wage is $35,060, or $16.86 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 Southwestern Pennsylvania, PA is 7.8% 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 Southwestern Pennsylvania, PA earns more than $47,150 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $29,620 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 430 jobs in this occupation in Southwestern Pennsylvania, 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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