Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Security Guard Salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

In the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metropolitan area, security guards earned a median annual wage of $44,400 ($21.35/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $36,900/year and the 90th was $59,400/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and California tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $37,097 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 113.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$44,400$21.35 per hour · $3,700 monthly
10th Percentile$36,900$17.74/hr base
25th Percentile$38,100$18.32/hr base
75th Percentile$48,000$23.08/hr base
90th Percentile$59,400$28.56/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

$44,400
$15,000$90,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$44,400
Net 84%
Fed 7%
CA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$37,097After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,091Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,427Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,148 / yr
California state income tax$759 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,397 / yr

Security Guards Wage Percentiles in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

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 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CA)
10th Percentile$17.74/hr$3,075$36,900$31,370
25th Percentile$18.32/hr$3,175$38,100$32,287
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$21.35/hr$3,700$44,400$37,097
75th Percentile$23.08/hr$4,000$48,000$39,828
90th Percentile$28.56/hr$4,950$59,400$48,304

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$44,400 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$95,958Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index113.613.6% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio46.3%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Security Guards Pay in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

What is the median salary for security guards in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?

The official BLS median annual wage for security guards in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA is $44,400, which equates to approximately $3,700 per month or $21.35 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for security guards in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?

The median hourly wage for security guards in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA is $21.35 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.74/hour and one in ten earned more than $28.56/hour.

What is the pay range for security guards in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?

BLS wage estimates for security guards in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA span from $36,900 at the 10th percentile to $38,100 at the 25th, $48,000 at the 75th, and $59,400 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do security guards take home after taxes in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?

On a median gross salary of $44,400, an estimated $37,097 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,427 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,303 (an effective rate of 16.4%).

How much do security guards make per month in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?

On the median annual salary of $44,400, gross monthly income is $3,700. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,091 per month (or $1,427 every two weeks).

Is $44,400 a good salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?

At $44,400, the median salary for security guards is 46.3% of the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA median household income ($95,958). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 113.6, making regional consumer goods and services 13.6% more expensive than the U.S. average.