EN

Language

Search
CostAnswer

Explore

Language

MethodologyAbout

Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Security Guard Salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

In the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metropolitan area, security guards earned a median annual wage of $38,000 ($18.27/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $33,500/year and the 90th was $64,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Maryland tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $31,272 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 104.5 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$38,000$18.27 per hour · $3,167 monthly
10th Percentile$33,500$16.11/hr base
25th Percentile$35,500$17.07/hr base
75th Percentile$46,500$22.36/hr base
90th Percentile$64,000$30.77/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 payWhat $38,000 a year leaves after tax in MarylandFederal tax, FICA and Maryland withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$18 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $38,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $38,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Maryland publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Maryland.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$38,000
$15,000$80,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$38,000
Net 82%
Fed 6%
MD 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$31,272After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,606Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,203Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,380 / yr
Maryland state income tax$1,441 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,907 / yr
Customize deductions in full Maryland calculator

Security Guards Wage Percentiles in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

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 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (MD)
10th Percentile$16.11/hr$2,792$33,500$27,870
25th Percentile$17.07/hr$2,958$35,500$29,382
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$18.27/hr$3,167$38,000$31,272
75th Percentile$22.36/hr$3,875$46,500$37,698
90th Percentile$30.77/hr$5,333$64,000$50,928

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$38,000 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$99,470Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index104.54.5% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio38.2%of area median income

Compare security guards salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Maryland:

Compare markets

Security Guards pay in other Maryland metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Security Guards Pay in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

What is the median salary for security guards in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?

The official BLS median annual wage for security guards in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD is $38,000, which equates to approximately $3,167 per month or $18.27 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for security guards in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?

The median hourly wage for security guards in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD is $18.27 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.11/hour and one in ten earned more than $30.77/hour.

What is the pay range for security guards in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?

BLS wage estimates for security guards in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD span from $33,500 at the 10th percentile to $35,500 at the 25th, $46,500 at the 75th, and $64,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do security guards take home after taxes in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?

On a median gross salary of $38,000, an estimated $31,272 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,203 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Maryland in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,728 (an effective rate of 17.7%).

How much do security guards make per month in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?

On the median annual salary of $38,000, gross monthly income is $3,167. After federal, FICA, and Maryland state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,606 per month (or $1,203 every two weeks).

Is $38,000 a good salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?

At $38,000, the median salary for security guards is 38.2% of the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD median household income ($99,470). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 104.5, making regional consumer goods and services 4.5% more expensive than the U.S. average.