Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Security Guard Salary in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA

In the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metropolitan area, security guards earned a median annual wage of $35,500 ($17.07/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $28,800/year and the 90th was $52,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Pennsylvania tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $29,614 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 93.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$35,500$17.07 per hour · $2,958 monthly
10th Percentile$28,800$13.85/hr base
25th Percentile$33,100$15.91/hr base
75th Percentile$42,500$20.43/hr base
90th Percentile$52,600$25.29/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

$35,500
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$35,500
Net 83%
Fed 6%
PA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$29,614After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,468Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,139Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,080 / yr
Pennsylvania state income tax$1,090 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,716 / yr

Security Guards Wage Percentiles in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, 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 Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (PA)
10th Percentile$13.85/hr$2,400$28,800$24,437
25th Percentile$15.91/hr$2,758$33,100$27,760
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.07/hr$2,958$35,500$29,614
75th Percentile$20.43/hr$3,542$42,500$35,024
90th Percentile$25.29/hr$4,383$52,600$42,829

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$35,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$65,158Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index93.66.4% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio54.5%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Security Guards Pay in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA

What is the median salary for security guards in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?

The official BLS median annual wage for security guards in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA is $35,500, which equates to approximately $2,958 per month or $17.07 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for security guards in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?

The median hourly wage for security guards in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA is $17.07 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $13.85/hour and one in ten earned more than $25.29/hour.

What is the pay range for security guards in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?

BLS wage estimates for security guards in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA span from $28,800 at the 10th percentile to $33,100 at the 25th, $42,500 at the 75th, and $52,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do security guards take home after taxes in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?

On a median gross salary of $35,500, an estimated $29,614 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,139 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Pennsylvania in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,886 (an effective rate of 16.6%).

How much do security guards make per month in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?

On the median annual salary of $35,500, gross monthly income is $2,958. After federal, FICA, and Pennsylvania state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,468 per month (or $1,139 every two weeks).

Is $35,500 a good salary in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?

At $35,500, the median salary for security guards is 54.5% of the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA median household income ($65,158). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 93.6, making regional consumer goods and services 6.4% cheaper than the U.S. average.