Watertown-Fort Drum, NY · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Security Guard Salary in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY

In the Watertown-Fort Drum, NY metropolitan area, security guards earned a median annual wage of $35,900 ($17.26/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $29,000/year and the 90th was $49,200/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and New York tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $29,684 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 87.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$35,900$17.26 per hour · $2,992 monthly
10th Percentile$29,000$13.94/hr base
25th Percentile$30,200$14.52/hr base
75th Percentile$42,100$20.24/hr base
90th Percentile$49,200$23.65/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

$35,900
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$35,900
Net 83%
Fed 6%
NY 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$29,684After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,474Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,142Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,128 / yr
New York state income tax$1,342 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,746 / yr

Security Guards Wage Percentiles in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY

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 Watertown-Fort Drum, NY Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NY)
10th Percentile$13.94/hr$2,417$29,000$24,512
25th Percentile$14.52/hr$2,517$30,200$25,412
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.26/hr$2,992$35,900$29,684
75th Percentile$20.24/hr$3,508$42,100$34,331
90th Percentile$23.65/hr$4,100$49,200$39,652

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$35,900 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$66,301Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index87.712.3% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio54.1%of area median income

Compare security guards salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in New York:

Frequently Asked Questions About Security Guards Pay in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY

What is the median salary for security guards in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY?

The official BLS median annual wage for security guards in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY is $35,900, which equates to approximately $2,992 per month or $17.26 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for security guards in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY?

The median hourly wage for security guards in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY is $17.26 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $13.94/hour and one in ten earned more than $23.65/hour.

What is the pay range for security guards in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY?

BLS wage estimates for security guards in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY span from $29,000 at the 10th percentile to $30,200 at the 25th, $42,100 at the 75th, and $49,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do security guards take home after taxes in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY?

On a median gross salary of $35,900, an estimated $29,684 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,142 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in New York in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,216 (an effective rate of 17.3%).

How much do security guards make per month in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY?

On the median annual salary of $35,900, gross monthly income is $2,992. After federal, FICA, and New York state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,474 per month (or $1,142 every two weeks).

Is $35,900 a good salary in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY?

At $35,900, the median salary for security guards is 54.1% of the Watertown-Fort Drum, NY median household income ($66,301). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 87.7, making regional consumer goods and services 12.3% cheaper than the U.S. average.