Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Security Guard Salary in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ

In the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metropolitan area, security guards earned a median annual wage of $35,700 ($17.16/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $29,600/year and the 90th was $55,500/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and New Jersey tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $30,328 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 100.0 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$35,700$17.16 per hour · $2,975 monthly
10th Percentile$29,600$14.23/hr base
25th Percentile$31,900$15.34/hr base
75th Percentile$44,200$21.25/hr base
90th Percentile$55,500$26.68/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$35,700
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$35,700
Net 85%
Fed 6%
NJ 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$30,328After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,527Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,166Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,104 / yr
New Jersey state income tax$537 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,731 / yr

Security Guards Wage Percentiles in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Security Guards in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NJ)
10th Percentile$14.23/hr$2,467$29,600$25,533
25th Percentile$15.34/hr$2,658$31,900$27,341
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.16/hr$2,975$35,700$30,328
75th Percentile$21.25/hr$3,683$44,200$36,800
90th Percentile$26.68/hr$4,625$55,500$45,256

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$35,700 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$84,587Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index100.0Exact national baseline
Individual vs Household Ratio42.2%of area median income

Compare security guards salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in New Jersey:

Frequently Asked Questions About Security Guards Pay in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ

What is the median salary for security guards in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?

The official BLS median annual wage for security guards in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ is $35,700, which equates to approximately $2,975 per month or $17.16 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for security guards in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?

The median hourly wage for security guards in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ is $17.16 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $14.23/hour and one in ten earned more than $26.68/hour.

What is the pay range for security guards in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?

BLS wage estimates for security guards in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ span from $29,600 at the 10th percentile to $31,900 at the 25th, $44,200 at the 75th, and $55,500 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do security guards take home after taxes in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?

On a median gross salary of $35,700, an estimated $30,328 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,166 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in New Jersey in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,372 (an effective rate of 15%).

How much do security guards make per month in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?

On the median annual salary of $35,700, gross monthly income is $2,975. After federal, FICA, and New Jersey state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,527 per month (or $1,166 every two weeks).

Is $35,700 a good salary in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?

At $35,700, the median salary for security guards is 42.2% of the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ median household income ($84,587). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 100.0, making regional consumer goods and services 0% more expensive than the U.S. average.