Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Security Guard Salary in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN

In the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metropolitan area, security guards earned a median annual wage of $36,500 ($17.55/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $29,900/year and the 90th was $60,100/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Indiana tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $30,461 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 93.4 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$36,500$17.55 per hour · $3,042 monthly
10th Percentile$29,900$14.38/hr base
25th Percentile$31,300$15.05/hr base
75th Percentile$44,500$21.39/hr base
90th Percentile$60,100$28.89/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

$36,500
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$36,500
Net 83%
Fed 6%
IN 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$30,461After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,538Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,172Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,200 / yr
Indiana state income tax$1,047 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,792 / yr

Security Guards Wage Percentiles in Lafayette-West Lafayette, 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 Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IN)
10th Percentile$14.38/hr$2,492$29,900$25,352
25th Percentile$15.05/hr$2,608$31,300$26,436
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.55/hr$3,042$36,500$30,461
75th Percentile$21.39/hr$3,708$44,500$36,653
90th Percentile$28.89/hr$5,008$60,100$48,727

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$36,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$62,011Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index93.46.6% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio58.9%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Security Guards Pay in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN

What is the median salary for security guards in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?

The official BLS median annual wage for security guards in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN is $36,500, which equates to approximately $3,042 per month or $17.55 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for security guards in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?

The median hourly wage for security guards in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN is $17.55 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $14.38/hour and one in ten earned more than $28.89/hour.

What is the pay range for security guards in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?

BLS wage estimates for security guards in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN span from $29,900 at the 10th percentile to $31,300 at the 25th, $44,500 at the 75th, and $60,100 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do security guards take home after taxes in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?

On a median gross salary of $36,500, an estimated $30,461 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,172 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Indiana in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,040 (an effective rate of 16.5%).

How much do security guards make per month in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?

On the median annual salary of $36,500, gross monthly income is $3,042. After federal, FICA, and Indiana state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,538 per month (or $1,172 every two weeks).

Is $36,500 a good salary in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?

At $36,500, the median salary for security guards is 58.9% of the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN median household income ($62,011). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 93.4, making regional consumer goods and services 6.6% cheaper than the U.S. average.