St. Louis, MO-IL · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Security Guard Salary in St. Louis, MO-IL

In the St. Louis, MO-IL metropolitan area, security guards earned a median annual wage of $37,600 ($18.08/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $33,800/year and the 90th was $60,800/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Illinois tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $30,675 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 95.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$37,600$18.08 per hour · $3,133 monthly
10th Percentile$33,800$16.25/hr base
25th Percentile$35,300$16.97/hr base
75th Percentile$44,100$21.20/hr base
90th Percentile$60,800$29.23/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

$37,600
$15,000$80,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$37,600
Net 82%
Fed 6%
IL 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$30,675After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,556Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,180Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,332 / yr
Illinois state income tax$1,716 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,876 / yr

Security Guards Wage Percentiles in St. Louis, MO-IL

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 St. Louis, MO-IL Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IL)
10th Percentile$16.25/hr$2,817$33,800$27,810
25th Percentile$16.97/hr$2,942$35,300$28,941
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$18.08/hr$3,133$37,600$30,675
75th Percentile$21.20/hr$3,675$44,100$35,576
90th Percentile$29.23/hr$5,067$60,800$48,168

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in St. Louis, MO-IL

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$37,600 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$80,196Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index95.14.9% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio46.9%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Security Guards Pay in St. Louis, MO-IL

What is the median salary for security guards in St. Louis, MO-IL?

The official BLS median annual wage for security guards in St. Louis, MO-IL is $37,600, which equates to approximately $3,133 per month or $18.08 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for security guards in St. Louis, MO-IL?

The median hourly wage for security guards in St. Louis, MO-IL is $18.08 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.25/hour and one in ten earned more than $29.23/hour.

What is the pay range for security guards in St. Louis, MO-IL?

BLS wage estimates for security guards in St. Louis, MO-IL span from $33,800 at the 10th percentile to $35,300 at the 25th, $44,100 at the 75th, and $60,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do security guards take home after taxes in St. Louis, MO-IL?

On a median gross salary of $37,600, an estimated $30,675 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,180 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Illinois in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,925 (an effective rate of 18.4%).

How much do security guards make per month in St. Louis, MO-IL?

On the median annual salary of $37,600, gross monthly income is $3,133. After federal, FICA, and Illinois state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,556 per month (or $1,180 every two weeks).

Is $37,600 a good salary in St. Louis, MO-IL?

At $37,600, the median salary for security guards is 46.9% of the St. Louis, MO-IL median household income ($80,196). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 95.1, making regional consumer goods and services 4.9% cheaper than the U.S. average.