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Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Security Guard Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

In the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area, security guards earned a median annual wage of $63,600 ($30.58/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $36,300/year and the 90th was $78,200/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and District of Columbia tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $50,524 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 108.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$63,600$30.58 per hour · $5,300 monthly
10th Percentile$36,300$17.45/hr base
25th Percentile$45,100$21.68/hr base
75th Percentile$73,500$35.34/hr base
90th Percentile$78,200$37.60/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 payWhat $64,000 a year leaves after tax in District of ColumbiaFederal tax, FICA and District of Columbia withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$31 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $64,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $64,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation District of Columbia publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about District of Columbia.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$63,600
$25,000$130,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$63,600
Net 79%
Fed 9%
DC 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$50,524After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,210Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,943Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate20.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,452 / yr
District of Columbia state income tax$2,759 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,865 / yr
Customize deductions in full District of Columbia calculator

Security Guards Wage Percentiles in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (DC)
10th Percentile$17.45/hr$3,025$36,300$30,269
25th Percentile$21.68/hr$3,758$45,100$36,812
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$30.58/hr$5,300$63,600$50,524
75th Percentile$35.34/hr$6,125$73,500$57,135
90th Percentile$37.60/hr$6,517$78,200$60,072

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$63,600 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$126,684Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index108.98.9% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio50.2%of area median income

Compare security guards salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in District of Columbia:

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Security Guards pay in other District of Columbia metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Security Guards Pay in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

What is the median salary for security guards in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

The official BLS median annual wage for security guards in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $63,600, which equates to approximately $5,300 per month or $30.58 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for security guards in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

The median hourly wage for security guards in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $30.58 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.45/hour and one in ten earned more than $37.60/hour.

What is the pay range for security guards in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

BLS wage estimates for security guards in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV span from $36,300 at the 10th percentile to $45,100 at the 25th, $73,500 at the 75th, and $78,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do security guards take home after taxes in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

On a median gross salary of $63,600, an estimated $50,524 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,943 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in District of Columbia in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $13,076 (an effective rate of 20.6%).

How much do security guards make per month in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

On the median annual salary of $63,600, gross monthly income is $5,300. After federal, FICA, and District of Columbia state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $4,210 per month (or $1,943 every two weeks).

Is $63,600 a good salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

At $63,600, the median salary for security guards is 50.2% of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV median household income ($126,684). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 108.9, making regional consumer goods and services 8.9% more expensive than the U.S. average.