Durham-Chapel Hill, NC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Security Guard Salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

In the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metropolitan area, security guards earned a median annual wage of $36,200 ($17.40/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $30,300/year and the 90th was $57,900/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $30,331 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 97.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$36,200$17.40 per hour · $3,017 monthly
10th Percentile$30,300$14.57/hr base
25th Percentile$31,700$15.24/hr base
75th Percentile$45,100$21.68/hr base
90th Percentile$57,900$27.84/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

$36,200
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$36,200
Net 84%
Fed 6%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$30,331After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,528Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,167Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,164 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$936 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,769 / yr

Security Guards Wage Percentiles in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$14.57/hr$2,525$30,300$25,826
25th Percentile$15.24/hr$2,642$31,700$26,895
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.40/hr$3,017$36,200$30,331
75th Percentile$21.68/hr$3,758$45,100$37,127
90th Percentile$27.84/hr$4,825$57,900$46,901

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$36,200 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$83,500Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index97.62.4% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio43.4%of area median income

Compare security guards salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in North Carolina:

Frequently Asked Questions About Security Guards Pay in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

What is the median salary for security guards in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for security guards in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $36,200, which equates to approximately $3,017 per month or $17.40 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for security guards in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

The median hourly wage for security guards in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $17.40 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $14.57/hour and one in ten earned more than $27.84/hour.

What is the pay range for security guards in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

BLS wage estimates for security guards in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC span from $30,300 at the 10th percentile to $31,700 at the 25th, $45,100 at the 75th, and $57,900 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do security guards take home after taxes in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

On a median gross salary of $36,200, an estimated $30,331 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,167 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,869 (an effective rate of 16.2%).

How much do security guards make per month in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

On the median annual salary of $36,200, gross monthly income is $3,017. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,528 per month (or $1,167 every two weeks).

Is $36,200 a good salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

At $36,200, the median salary for security guards is 43.4% of the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC median household income ($83,500). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 97.6, making regional consumer goods and services 2.4% cheaper than the U.S. average.