Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Security Guard Salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

In the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metropolitan area, security guards earned a median annual wage of $46,300 ($22.26/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $37,100/year and the 90th was $58,900/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Colorado tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $38,053 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 105.8 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$46,300$22.26 per hour · $3,858 monthly
10th Percentile$37,100$17.84/hr base
25th Percentile$38,900$18.70/hr base
75th Percentile$48,800$23.46/hr base
90th Percentile$58,900$28.32/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

$46,300
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$46,300
Net 82%
Fed 7%
CO 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$38,053After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,171Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,464Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,376 / yr
Colorado state income tax$1,329 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,542 / yr

Security Guards Wage Percentiles in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CO)
10th Percentile$17.84/hr$3,092$37,100$31,066
25th Percentile$18.70/hr$3,242$38,900$32,433
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$22.26/hr$3,858$46,300$38,053
75th Percentile$23.46/hr$4,067$48,800$39,952
90th Percentile$28.32/hr$4,908$58,900$47,623

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$46,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$105,762Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index105.85.8% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio43.8%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Security Guards Pay in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

What is the median salary for security guards in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?

The official BLS median annual wage for security guards in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO is $46,300, which equates to approximately $3,858 per month or $22.26 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for security guards in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?

The median hourly wage for security guards in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO is $22.26 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.84/hour and one in ten earned more than $28.32/hour.

What is the pay range for security guards in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?

BLS wage estimates for security guards in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO span from $37,100 at the 10th percentile to $38,900 at the 25th, $48,800 at the 75th, and $58,900 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do security guards take home after taxes in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?

On a median gross salary of $46,300, an estimated $38,053 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,464 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Colorado in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $8,247 (an effective rate of 17.8%).

How much do security guards make per month in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?

On the median annual salary of $46,300, gross monthly income is $3,858. After federal, FICA, and Colorado state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,171 per month (or $1,464 every two weeks).

Is $46,300 a good salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?

At $46,300, the median salary for security guards is 43.8% of the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO median household income ($105,762). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 105.8, making regional consumer goods and services 5.8% more expensive than the U.S. average.