Winston-Salem, NC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Security Guard Salary in Winston-Salem, NC

In the Winston-Salem, NC metropolitan area, security guards earned a median annual wage of $34,200 ($16.44/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $28,600/year and the 90th was $54,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $28,804 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 92.0 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$34,200$16.44 per hour · $2,850 monthly
10th Percentile$28,600$13.75/hr base
25th Percentile$29,900$14.38/hr base
75th Percentile$42,600$20.48/hr base
90th Percentile$54,700$26.30/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

$34,200
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$34,200
Net 84%
Fed 6%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$28,804After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,400Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,108Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,924 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$856 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,616 / yr

Security Guards Wage Percentiles in Winston-Salem, 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 Winston-Salem, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$13.75/hr$2,383$28,600$24,528
25th Percentile$14.38/hr$2,492$29,900$25,520
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.44/hr$2,850$34,200$28,804
75th Percentile$20.48/hr$3,550$42,600$35,218
90th Percentile$26.30/hr$4,558$54,700$44,458

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Winston-Salem, NC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$34,200 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$65,975Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index92.08% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio51.8%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Security Guards Pay in Winston-Salem, NC

What is the median salary for security guards in Winston-Salem, NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for security guards in Winston-Salem, NC is $34,200, which equates to approximately $2,850 per month or $16.44 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for security guards in Winston-Salem, NC?

The median hourly wage for security guards in Winston-Salem, NC is $16.44 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $13.75/hour and one in ten earned more than $26.30/hour.

What is the pay range for security guards in Winston-Salem, NC?

BLS wage estimates for security guards in Winston-Salem, NC span from $28,600 at the 10th percentile to $29,900 at the 25th, $42,600 at the 75th, and $54,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do security guards take home after taxes in Winston-Salem, NC?

On a median gross salary of $34,200, an estimated $28,804 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,108 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,396 (an effective rate of 15.8%).

How much do security guards make per month in Winston-Salem, NC?

On the median annual salary of $34,200, gross monthly income is $2,850. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,400 per month (or $1,108 every two weeks).

Is $34,200 a good salary in Winston-Salem, NC?

At $34,200, the median salary for security guards is 51.8% of the Winston-Salem, NC median household income ($65,975). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 92.0, making regional consumer goods and services 8% cheaper than the U.S. average.