Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Security Guard Salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

In the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metropolitan area, security guards earned a median annual wage of $32,800 ($15.77/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $27,400/year and the 90th was $52,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $27,735 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 88.5 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$32,800$15.77 per hour · $2,733 monthly
10th Percentile$27,400$13.17/hr base
25th Percentile$28,700$13.80/hr base
75th Percentile$40,900$19.66/hr base
90th Percentile$52,600$25.29/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

$32,800
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$32,800
Net 85%
Fed 5%
NC 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$27,735After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,311Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,067Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,756 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$800 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,509 / yr

Security Guards Wage Percentiles in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, 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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$13.17/hr$2,283$27,400$23,589
25th Percentile$13.80/hr$2,392$28,700$24,604
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$15.77/hr$2,733$32,800$27,735
75th Percentile$19.66/hr$3,408$40,900$33,920
90th Percentile$25.29/hr$4,383$52,600$42,854

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$32,800 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$62,787Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index88.511.5% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio52.2%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Security Guards Pay in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

What is the median salary for security guards in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for security guards in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is $32,800, which equates to approximately $2,733 per month or $15.77 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for security guards in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

The median hourly wage for security guards in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is $15.77 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $13.17/hour and one in ten earned more than $25.29/hour.

What is the pay range for security guards in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

BLS wage estimates for security guards in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC span from $27,400 at the 10th percentile to $28,700 at the 25th, $40,900 at the 75th, and $52,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do security guards take home after taxes in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

On a median gross salary of $32,800, an estimated $27,735 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,067 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,065 (an effective rate of 15.4%).

How much do security guards make per month in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

On the median annual salary of $32,800, gross monthly income is $2,733. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,311 per month (or $1,067 every two weeks).

Is $32,800 a good salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

At $32,800, the median salary for security guards is 52.2% of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC median household income ($62,787). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 88.5, making regional consumer goods and services 11.5% cheaper than the U.S. average.