State College, PA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Security Guard Salary in State College, PA

In the State College, PA metropolitan area, security guards earned a median annual wage of $36,700 ($17.64/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $29,800/year and the 90th was $54,400/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Pennsylvania tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $30,542 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 96.8 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$36,700$17.64 per hour · $3,058 monthly
10th Percentile$29,800$14.33/hr base
25th Percentile$34,300$16.49/hr base
75th Percentile$43,900$21.11/hr base
90th Percentile$54,400$26.15/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

$36,700
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$36,700
Net 83%
Fed 6%
PA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$30,542After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,545Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,175Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,224 / yr
Pennsylvania state income tax$1,127 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,808 / yr

Security Guards Wage Percentiles in State College, 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 State College, PA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (PA)
10th Percentile$14.33/hr$2,483$29,800$25,209
25th Percentile$16.49/hr$2,858$34,300$28,687
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.64/hr$3,058$36,700$30,542
75th Percentile$21.11/hr$3,658$43,900$36,106
90th Percentile$26.15/hr$4,533$54,400$44,220

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in State College, PA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$36,700 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$74,291Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index96.83.2% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio49.4%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Security Guards Pay in State College, PA

What is the median salary for security guards in State College, PA?

The official BLS median annual wage for security guards in State College, PA is $36,700, which equates to approximately $3,058 per month or $17.64 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for security guards in State College, PA?

The median hourly wage for security guards in State College, PA is $17.64 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $14.33/hour and one in ten earned more than $26.15/hour.

What is the pay range for security guards in State College, PA?

BLS wage estimates for security guards in State College, PA span from $29,800 at the 10th percentile to $34,300 at the 25th, $43,900 at the 75th, and $54,400 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do security guards take home after taxes in State College, PA?

On a median gross salary of $36,700, an estimated $30,542 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,175 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Pennsylvania in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,158 (an effective rate of 16.8%).

How much do security guards make per month in State College, PA?

On the median annual salary of $36,700, gross monthly income is $3,058. After federal, FICA, and Pennsylvania state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,545 per month (or $1,175 every two weeks).

Is $36,700 a good salary in State College, PA?

At $36,700, the median salary for security guards is 49.4% of the State College, PA median household income ($74,291). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 96.8, making regional consumer goods and services 3.2% cheaper than the U.S. average.