Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$42,500$20.43 per hour · $3,542 monthlyRun the numbers on your own pay
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Take-Home Pay Explorer
Security Guards Wage Percentiles in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, 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 | $17.02/hr | $2,950 | $35,400 | $30,225 |
| 25th Percentile | $17.55/hr | $3,042 | $36,500 | $31,065 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $20.43/hr | $3,542 | $42,500 | $35,646 |
| 75th Percentile | $22.07/hr | $3,825 | $45,900 | $38,242 |
| 90th Percentile | $27.36/hr | $4,742 | $56,900 | $46,446 |
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$42,500 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
What is the median salary for security guards in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The official BLS median annual wage for security guards in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is $42,500, which equates to approximately $3,542 per month or $20.43 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for security guards in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median hourly wage for security guards in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is $20.43 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.02/hour and one in ten earned more than $27.36/hour.
What is the pay range for security guards in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
BLS wage estimates for security guards in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA span from $35,400 at the 10th percentile to $36,500 at the 25th, $45,900 at the 75th, and $56,900 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do security guards take home after taxes in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
On a median gross salary of $42,500, an estimated $35,646 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,371 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,854 (an effective rate of 16.1%).
How much do security guards make per month in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
On the median annual salary of $42,500, gross monthly income is $3,542. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,971 per month (or $1,371 every two weeks).
Is $42,500 a good salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
At $42,500, the median salary for security guards is 43.3% of the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA median household income ($98,161). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 108.8, making regional consumer goods and services 8.8% more expensive than the U.S. average.