Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Security Guard Salary in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

In the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metropolitan area, security guards earned a median annual wage of $46,400 ($22.31/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $37,200/year and the 90th was $59,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Oregon tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $36,513 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 105.4 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$46,400$22.31 per hour · $3,867 monthly
10th Percentile$37,200$17.88/hr base
25th Percentile$40,500$19.47/hr base
75th Percentile$49,400$23.75/hr base
90th Percentile$59,700$28.70/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

$46,400
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$46,400
Net 79%
Fed 7%
OR 6%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$36,513After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,043Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,404Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate21.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,388 / yr
Oregon state income tax$2,949 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,550 / yr

Security Guards Wage Percentiles in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

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 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (OR)
10th Percentile$17.88/hr$3,100$37,200$29,829
25th Percentile$19.47/hr$3,375$40,500$32,227
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$22.31/hr$3,867$46,400$36,513
75th Percentile$23.75/hr$4,117$49,400$38,692
90th Percentile$28.70/hr$4,975$59,700$46,175

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$46,400 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$97,436Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index105.45.4% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio47.6%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Security Guards Pay in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

What is the median salary for security guards in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?

The official BLS median annual wage for security guards in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA is $46,400, which equates to approximately $3,867 per month or $22.31 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for security guards in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?

The median hourly wage for security guards in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA is $22.31 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.88/hour and one in ten earned more than $28.70/hour.

What is the pay range for security guards in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?

BLS wage estimates for security guards in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA span from $37,200 at the 10th percentile to $40,500 at the 25th, $49,400 at the 75th, and $59,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do security guards take home after taxes in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?

On a median gross salary of $46,400, an estimated $36,513 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,404 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Oregon in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $9,887 (an effective rate of 21.3%).

How much do security guards make per month in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?

On the median annual salary of $46,400, gross monthly income is $3,867. After federal, FICA, and Oregon state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,043 per month (or $1,404 every two weeks).

Is $46,400 a good salary in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?

At $46,400, the median salary for security guards is 47.6% of the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA median household income ($97,436). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 105.4, making regional consumer goods and services 5.4% more expensive than the U.S. average.