Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Security Guard Salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC

In the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metropolitan area, security guards earned a median annual wage of $36,400 ($17.50/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $30,400/year and the 90th was $58,200/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $30,484 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 97.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$36,400$17.50 per hour · $3,033 monthly
10th Percentile$30,400$14.62/hr base
25th Percentile$31,800$15.29/hr base
75th Percentile$45,300$21.78/hr base
90th Percentile$58,200$27.98/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

$36,400
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$36,400
Net 84%
Fed 6%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$30,484After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,540Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,172Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,188 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$944 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,785 / yr

Security Guards Wage Percentiles in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC

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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$14.62/hr$2,533$30,400$25,902
25th Percentile$15.29/hr$2,650$31,800$26,971
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.50/hr$3,033$36,400$30,484
75th Percentile$21.78/hr$3,775$45,300$37,280
90th Percentile$27.98/hr$4,850$58,200$47,130

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$36,400 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$82,330Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index97.92.1% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio44.2%of area median income

Compare security guards salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in North Carolina:

Frequently Asked Questions About Security Guards Pay in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC

What is the median salary for security guards in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for security guards in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC is $36,400, which equates to approximately $3,033 per month or $17.50 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for security guards in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?

The median hourly wage for security guards in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC is $17.50 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $14.62/hour and one in ten earned more than $27.98/hour.

What is the pay range for security guards in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?

BLS wage estimates for security guards in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC span from $30,400 at the 10th percentile to $31,800 at the 25th, $45,300 at the 75th, and $58,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do security guards take home after taxes in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?

On a median gross salary of $36,400, an estimated $30,484 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,172 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,916 (an effective rate of 16.3%).

How much do security guards make per month in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?

On the median annual salary of $36,400, gross monthly income is $3,033. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,540 per month (or $1,172 every two weeks).

Is $36,400 a good salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?

At $36,400, the median salary for security guards is 44.2% of the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC median household income ($82,330). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 97.9, making regional consumer goods and services 2.1% cheaper than the U.S. average.