San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Security Guard Salary in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA

In the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA metropolitan area, security guards earned a median annual wage of $42,400 ($20.38/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $35,300/year and the 90th was $56,800/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and California tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $35,570 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 108.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$42,400$20.38 per hour · $3,533 monthly
10th Percentile$35,300$16.97/hr base
25th Percentile$36,500$17.55/hr base
75th Percentile$45,900$22.07/hr base
90th Percentile$56,800$27.31/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

$42,400
$15,000$85,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$42,400
Net 84%
Fed 7%
CA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$35,570After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,964Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,368Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,908 / yr
California state income tax$679 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,244 / yr

Security Guards Wage Percentiles in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, 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 San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CA)
10th Percentile$16.97/hr$2,942$35,300$30,149
25th Percentile$17.55/hr$3,042$36,500$31,065
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$20.38/hr$3,533$42,400$35,570
75th Percentile$22.07/hr$3,825$45,900$38,242
90th Percentile$27.31/hr$4,733$56,800$46,371

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$42,400 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$97,446Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index108.68.6% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio43.5%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Security Guards Pay in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA

What is the median salary for security guards in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?

The official BLS median annual wage for security guards in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA is $42,400, which equates to approximately $3,533 per month or $20.38 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for security guards in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?

The median hourly wage for security guards in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA is $20.38 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.97/hour and one in ten earned more than $27.31/hour.

What is the pay range for security guards in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?

BLS wage estimates for security guards in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA span from $35,300 at the 10th percentile to $36,500 at the 25th, $45,900 at the 75th, and $56,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do security guards take home after taxes in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?

On a median gross salary of $42,400, an estimated $35,570 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,368 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,830 (an effective rate of 16.1%).

How much do security guards make per month in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?

On the median annual salary of $42,400, gross monthly income is $3,533. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,964 per month (or $1,368 every two weeks).

Is $42,400 a good salary in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?

At $42,400, the median salary for security guards is 43.5% of the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA median household income ($97,446). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 108.6, making regional consumer goods and services 8.6% more expensive than the U.S. average.