Reading, PA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Security Guard Salary in Reading, PA

In the Reading, PA metropolitan area, security guards earned a median annual wage of $36,900 ($17.74/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $29,900/year and the 90th was $54,500/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Pennsylvania tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $30,696 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 97.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$36,900$17.74 per hour · $3,075 monthly
10th Percentile$29,900$14.38/hr base
25th Percentile$34,400$16.54/hr base
75th Percentile$44,100$21.20/hr base
90th Percentile$54,500$26.20/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

$36,900
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$36,900
Net 83%
Fed 6%
PA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$30,696After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,558Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,181Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,248 / yr
Pennsylvania state income tax$1,133 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,823 / yr

Security Guards Wage Percentiles in Reading, PA

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 Reading, PA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (PA)
10th Percentile$14.38/hr$2,492$29,900$25,287
25th Percentile$16.54/hr$2,867$34,400$28,764
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.74/hr$3,075$36,900$30,696
75th Percentile$21.20/hr$3,675$44,100$36,260
90th Percentile$26.20/hr$4,542$54,500$44,298

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Reading, PA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$36,900 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$79,777Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index97.12.9% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio46.3%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Security Guards Pay in Reading, PA

What is the median salary for security guards in Reading, PA?

The official BLS median annual wage for security guards in Reading, PA is $36,900, which equates to approximately $3,075 per month or $17.74 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for security guards in Reading, PA?

The median hourly wage for security guards in Reading, PA is $17.74 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $14.38/hour and one in ten earned more than $26.20/hour.

What is the pay range for security guards in Reading, PA?

BLS wage estimates for security guards in Reading, PA span from $29,900 at the 10th percentile to $34,400 at the 25th, $44,100 at the 75th, and $54,500 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do security guards take home after taxes in Reading, PA?

On a median gross salary of $36,900, an estimated $30,696 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,181 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Pennsylvania in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,204 (an effective rate of 16.8%).

How much do security guards make per month in Reading, PA?

On the median annual salary of $36,900, gross monthly income is $3,075. After federal, FICA, and Pennsylvania state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,558 per month (or $1,181 every two weeks).

Is $36,900 a good salary in Reading, PA?

At $36,900, the median salary for security guards is 46.3% of the Reading, PA median household income ($79,777). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 97.1, making regional consumer goods and services 2.9% cheaper than the U.S. average.