SOC 33-9032 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Security Guards — Wisconsin
Wisconsin · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Security Guards in Wisconsin is $37,440 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 Wisconsin is $37,440 per year, close to the national median of $38,020 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $35,030 and $46,210. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $30,410 and the ninetieth at $54,680.
The area has 12,030 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 4.1 of every thousand jobs. Wisconsin ranks number 28th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Racine records the highest median at $45,270. Of the 728 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 657th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,410 | −20.0% |
| 25th | $35,030 | −7.9% |
| Median (50th) | $37,440 | −1.5% |
| 75th | $46,210 | +21.5% |
| 90th | $54,680 | +43.8% |
| Mean | $41,390 | +8.9% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Wisconsin
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Racine | $45,270 | 260 | |
| 2 | Janesville | $40,870 | 170 | |
| 3 | Green Bay | $40,130 | 640 | |
| 4 | Sheboygan | $40,010 | 70 | |
| 5 | Madison | $38,020 | 1,260 | |
| 6 | Milwaukee | $37,870 | 5,210 | |
| 7 | Oshkosh | $36,330 | 570 | |
| 8 | La Crosse | $36,210 | 350 | |
| 9 | Eau Claire | $36,190 | 160 | |
| 10 | Appleton | $36,040 | 540 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Wisconsin run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $37,440 goes as far as $39,787 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 4.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$37,440as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$39,787US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $37,440 a year, 1.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $30,410 to $54,680 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 12,030 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 28th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Racine, at $45,270.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Security Guards in Wisconsin?
The median annual wage is $37,440, or $18.00 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 Wisconsin is 1.5% 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 Wisconsin earns more than $54,680 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $30,410 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 Racine, at $45,270 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 12,030 jobs in this occupation in Wisconsin. 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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