Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Security Guard Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

In the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan area, security guards earned a median annual wage of $40,900 ($19.66/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $36,800/year and the 90th was $66,300/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Illinois tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $33,163 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 103.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$40,900$19.66 per hour · $3,408 monthly
10th Percentile$36,800$17.69/hr base
25th Percentile$38,400$18.46/hr base
75th Percentile$48,000$23.08/hr base
90th Percentile$66,300$31.88/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

$40,900
$15,000$85,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$40,900
Net 81%
Fed 7%
IL 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$33,163After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,764Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,276Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,728 / yr
Illinois state income tax$1,880 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,129 / yr

Security Guards Wage Percentiles in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IL)
10th Percentile$17.69/hr$3,067$36,800$30,072
25th Percentile$18.46/hr$3,200$38,400$31,278
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$19.66/hr$3,408$40,900$33,163
75th Percentile$23.08/hr$4,000$48,000$38,517
90th Percentile$31.88/hr$5,525$66,300$52,315

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$40,900 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$90,887Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index103.63.6% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio45%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Security Guards Pay in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

What is the median salary for security guards in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

The official BLS median annual wage for security guards in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $40,900, which equates to approximately $3,408 per month or $19.66 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for security guards in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

The median hourly wage for security guards in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $19.66 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.69/hour and one in ten earned more than $31.88/hour.

What is the pay range for security guards in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

BLS wage estimates for security guards in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN span from $36,800 at the 10th percentile to $38,400 at the 25th, $48,000 at the 75th, and $66,300 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do security guards take home after taxes in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

On a median gross salary of $40,900, an estimated $33,163 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,276 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Illinois in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,737 (an effective rate of 18.9%).

How much do security guards make per month in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

On the median annual salary of $40,900, gross monthly income is $3,408. After federal, FICA, and Illinois state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,764 per month (or $1,276 every two weeks).

Is $40,900 a good salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

At $40,900, the median salary for security guards is 45% of the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN median household income ($90,887). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 103.6, making regional consumer goods and services 3.6% more expensive than the U.S. average.