New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Security Guard Salary in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ

In the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metropolitan area, security guards earned a median annual wage of $40,200 ($19.33/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $33,300/year and the 90th was $62,500/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and New Jersey tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $33,791 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 112.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$40,200$19.33 per hour · $3,350 monthly
10th Percentile$33,300$16.01/hr base
25th Percentile$36,000$17.31/hr base
75th Percentile$49,800$23.94/hr base
90th Percentile$62,500$30.05/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

$40,200
$15,000$85,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$40,200
Net 84%
Fed 7%
NJ 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$33,791After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,816Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,300Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,644 / yr
New Jersey state income tax$690 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,075 / yr

Security Guards Wage Percentiles in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ

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 New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NJ)
10th Percentile$16.01/hr$2,775$33,300$28,441
25th Percentile$17.31/hr$3,000$36,000$30,564
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$19.33/hr$3,350$40,200$33,791
75th Percentile$23.94/hr$4,150$49,800$40,991
90th Percentile$30.05/hr$5,208$62,500$50,493

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$40,200 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$99,155Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index112.612.6% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio40.5%of area median income

Compare security guards salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in New Jersey:

Frequently Asked Questions About Security Guards Pay in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ

What is the median salary for security guards in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ?

The official BLS median annual wage for security guards in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ is $40,200, which equates to approximately $3,350 per month or $19.33 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for security guards in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ?

The median hourly wage for security guards in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ is $19.33 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.01/hour and one in ten earned more than $30.05/hour.

What is the pay range for security guards in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ?

BLS wage estimates for security guards in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ span from $33,300 at the 10th percentile to $36,000 at the 25th, $49,800 at the 75th, and $62,500 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do security guards take home after taxes in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ?

On a median gross salary of $40,200, an estimated $33,791 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,300 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in New Jersey in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,409 (an effective rate of 15.9%).

How much do security guards make per month in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ?

On the median annual salary of $40,200, gross monthly income is $3,350. After federal, FICA, and New Jersey state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,816 per month (or $1,300 every two weeks).

Is $40,200 a good salary in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ?

At $40,200, the median salary for security guards is 40.5% of the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ median household income ($99,155). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 112.6, making regional consumer goods and services 12.6% more expensive than the U.S. average.