Charleston, WV · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Security Guard Salary in Charleston, WV

In the Charleston, WV metropolitan area, security guards earned a median annual wage of $28,500 ($13.70/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $20,600/year and the 90th was $47,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and West Virginia tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $24,400 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 88.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$28,500$13.70 per hour · $2,375 monthly
10th Percentile$20,600$9.90/hr base
25th Percentile$20,600$9.90/hr base
75th Percentile$35,700$17.16/hr base
90th Percentile$47,000$22.60/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

$28,500
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$28,500
Net 86%
Fed 4%
WV 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$24,400After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,033Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$938Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,240 / yr
West Virginia state income tax$680 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,180 / yr

Security Guards Wage Percentiles in Charleston, WV

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 Charleston, WV Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (WV)
10th Percentile$9.90/hr$1,717$20,600$18,121
25th Percentile$9.90/hr$1,717$20,600$18,121
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$13.70/hr$2,375$28,500$24,400
75th Percentile$17.16/hr$2,975$35,700$29,958
90th Percentile$22.60/hr$3,917$47,000$38,627

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Charleston, WV

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$28,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$60,117Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index88.711.3% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio47.4%of area median income

Compare security guards salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in West Virginia:

Frequently Asked Questions About Security Guards Pay in Charleston, WV

What is the median salary for security guards in Charleston, WV?

The official BLS median annual wage for security guards in Charleston, WV is $28,500, which equates to approximately $2,375 per month or $13.70 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for security guards in Charleston, WV?

The median hourly wage for security guards in Charleston, WV is $13.70 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $9.90/hour and one in ten earned more than $22.60/hour.

What is the pay range for security guards in Charleston, WV?

BLS wage estimates for security guards in Charleston, WV span from $20,600 at the 10th percentile to $20,600 at the 25th, $35,700 at the 75th, and $47,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do security guards take home after taxes in Charleston, WV?

On a median gross salary of $28,500, an estimated $24,400 lands in net take-home pay per year ($938 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in West Virginia in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,100 (an effective rate of 14.4%).

How much do security guards make per month in Charleston, WV?

On the median annual salary of $28,500, gross monthly income is $2,375. After federal, FICA, and West Virginia state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,033 per month (or $938 every two weeks).

Is $28,500 a good salary in Charleston, WV?

At $28,500, the median salary for security guards is 47.4% of the Charleston, WV median household income ($60,117). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 88.7, making regional consumer goods and services 11.3% cheaper than the U.S. average.