Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Security Guard Salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

In the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metropolitan area, security guards earned a median annual wage of $39,300 ($18.89/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $31,700/year and the 90th was $53,800/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and New York tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $32,232 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 95.8 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$39,300$18.89 per hour · $3,275 monthly
10th Percentile$31,700$15.24/hr base
25th Percentile$33,000$15.87/hr base
75th Percentile$46,000$22.12/hr base
90th Percentile$53,800$25.87/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

$39,300
$15,000$80,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$39,300
Net 82%
Fed 6%
NY 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$32,232After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,686Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,240Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,536 / yr
New York state income tax$1,526 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,006 / yr

Security Guards Wage Percentiles in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NY)
10th Percentile$15.24/hr$2,642$31,700$26,536
25th Percentile$15.87/hr$2,750$33,000$27,510
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$18.89/hr$3,275$39,300$32,232
75th Percentile$22.12/hr$3,833$46,000$37,254
90th Percentile$25.87/hr$4,483$53,800$43,100

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$39,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$72,237Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index95.84.2% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio54.4%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Security Guards Pay in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

What is the median salary for security guards in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

The official BLS median annual wage for security guards in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY is $39,300, which equates to approximately $3,275 per month or $18.89 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for security guards in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

The median hourly wage for security guards in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY is $18.89 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.24/hour and one in ten earned more than $25.87/hour.

What is the pay range for security guards in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

BLS wage estimates for security guards in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY span from $31,700 at the 10th percentile to $33,000 at the 25th, $46,000 at the 75th, and $53,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do security guards take home after taxes in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

On a median gross salary of $39,300, an estimated $32,232 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,240 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in New York in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,068 (an effective rate of 18%).

How much do security guards make per month in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

On the median annual salary of $39,300, gross monthly income is $3,275. After federal, FICA, and New York state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,686 per month (or $1,240 every two weeks).

Is $39,300 a good salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

At $39,300, the median salary for security guards is 54.4% of the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY median household income ($72,237). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 95.8, making regional consumer goods and services 4.2% cheaper than the U.S. average.