Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$43,100$20.72 per hour · $3,592 monthlyRun the numbers on your own pay
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Take-Home Pay Explorer
Security Guards Wage Percentiles in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.
| Earning Tier | Hourly Wage | Monthly Gross | Annual Gross | Est. Annual Net (CA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $17.26/hr | $2,992 | $35,900 | $30,607 |
| 25th Percentile | $17.84/hr | $3,092 | $37,100 | $31,523 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $20.72/hr | $3,592 | $43,100 | $36,104 |
| 75th Percentile | $22.40/hr | $3,883 | $46,600 | $38,776 |
| 90th Percentile | $27.74/hr | $4,808 | $57,700 | $47,040 |
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$43,100 measures up against local economic conditions:
Explore Related Salary & Regional Profiles
Compare security guards salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in California:
Frequently Asked Questions About Security Guards Pay in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
What is the median salary for security guards in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The official BLS median annual wage for security guards in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $43,100, which equates to approximately $3,592 per month or $20.72 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for security guards in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median hourly wage for security guards in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $20.72 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.26/hour and one in ten earned more than $27.74/hour.
What is the pay range for security guards in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
BLS wage estimates for security guards in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA span from $35,900 at the 10th percentile to $37,100 at the 25th, $46,600 at the 75th, and $57,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do security guards take home after taxes in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
On a median gross salary of $43,100, an estimated $36,104 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,389 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,996 (an effective rate of 16.2%).
How much do security guards make per month in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
On the median annual salary of $43,100, gross monthly income is $3,592. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,009 per month (or $1,389 every two weeks).
Is $43,100 a good salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
At $43,100, the median salary for security guards is 26.6% of the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA median household income ($162,111). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 110.4, making regional consumer goods and services 10.4% more expensive than the U.S. average.