Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Security Guard Salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

In the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metropolitan area, security guards earned a median annual wage of $48,900 ($23.51/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $39,200/year and the 90th was $71,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Washington tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $41,471 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 111.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$48,900$23.51 per hour · $4,075 monthly
10th Percentile$39,200$18.85/hr base
25th Percentile$43,600$20.96/hr base
75th Percentile$59,200$28.46/hr base
90th Percentile$71,000$34.13/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

$48,900
$15,000$100,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$48,900
Net 85%
Fed 8%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$41,471After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,456Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,595Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,688 / yr
Washington state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,741 / yr

Security Guards Wage Percentiles in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (WA)
10th Percentile$18.85/hr$3,267$39,200$33,677
25th Percentile$20.96/hr$3,633$43,600$37,213
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$23.51/hr$4,075$48,900$41,471
75th Percentile$28.46/hr$4,933$59,200$49,747
90th Percentile$34.13/hr$5,917$71,000$58,779

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$48,900 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$115,177Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index111.111.1% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio42.5%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Security Guards Pay in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

What is the median salary for security guards in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?

The official BLS median annual wage for security guards in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is $48,900, which equates to approximately $4,075 per month or $23.51 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for security guards in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?

The median hourly wage for security guards in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is $23.51 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $18.85/hour and one in ten earned more than $34.13/hour.

What is the pay range for security guards in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?

BLS wage estimates for security guards in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA span from $39,200 at the 10th percentile to $43,600 at the 25th, $59,200 at the 75th, and $71,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do security guards take home after taxes in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?

On a median gross salary of $48,900, an estimated $41,471 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,595 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Washington in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,429 (an effective rate of 15.2%).

How much do security guards make per month in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?

On the median annual salary of $48,900, gross monthly income is $4,075. After federal, FICA, and Washington state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,456 per month (or $1,595 every two weeks).

Is $48,900 a good salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?

At $48,900, the median salary for security guards is 42.5% of the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA median household income ($115,177). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 111.1, making regional consumer goods and services 11.1% more expensive than the U.S. average.