Lexington-Fayette, KY · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Security Guard Salary in Lexington-Fayette, KY

In the Lexington-Fayette, KY 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 $29,300/year and the 90th was $52,300/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Kentucky tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $30,348 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 92.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$36,500$17.55 per hour · $3,042 monthly
10th Percentile$29,300$14.09/hr base
25th Percentile$32,400$15.58/hr base
75th Percentile$41,600$20.00/hr base
90th Percentile$52,300$25.14/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%
KY 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$30,348After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,529Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,167Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,200 / yr
Kentucky state income tax$1,160 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,792 / yr

Security Guards Wage Percentiles in Lexington-Fayette, KY

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 Lexington-Fayette, KY Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (KY)
10th Percentile$14.09/hr$2,442$29,300$24,815
25th Percentile$15.58/hr$2,700$32,400$27,197
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.55/hr$3,042$36,500$30,348
75th Percentile$20.00/hr$3,467$41,600$34,267
90th Percentile$25.14/hr$4,358$52,300$42,490

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Lexington-Fayette, KY

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$71,966Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index92.97.1% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio50.7%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Security Guards Pay in Lexington-Fayette, KY

What is the median salary for security guards in Lexington-Fayette, KY?

The official BLS median annual wage for security guards in Lexington-Fayette, KY 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 Lexington-Fayette, KY?

The median hourly wage for security guards in Lexington-Fayette, KY is $17.55 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $14.09/hour and one in ten earned more than $25.14/hour.

What is the pay range for security guards in Lexington-Fayette, KY?

BLS wage estimates for security guards in Lexington-Fayette, KY span from $29,300 at the 10th percentile to $32,400 at the 25th, $41,600 at the 75th, and $52,300 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do security guards take home after taxes in Lexington-Fayette, KY?

On a median gross salary of $36,500, an estimated $30,348 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,167 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Kentucky in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,152 (an effective rate of 16.9%).

How much do security guards make per month in Lexington-Fayette, KY?

On the median annual salary of $36,500, gross monthly income is $3,042. After federal, FICA, and Kentucky state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,529 per month (or $1,167 every two weeks).

Is $36,500 a good salary in Lexington-Fayette, KY?

At $36,500, the median salary for security guards is 50.7% of the Lexington-Fayette, KY median household income ($71,966). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 92.9, making regional consumer goods and services 7.1% cheaper than the U.S. average.