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Security Guards: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in District of Columbia (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How does Security Guards salary grow from entry-level to senior in District of Columbia? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.

116% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • District of Columbia salary data • Updated 2026-05-19

Entry-Level (P10)
$36,600
$3,050/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$64,210
$5,351/mo
Senior (P90)
$78,910
$6,576/mo

District of Columbia vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$36,600
National: $31,137
+17.5%
Mid-Career (Median)
$64,210
National: $39,375
+63.1%
Senior (P90)
$78,910
National: $58,789
+34.2%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Security Guards in District of Columbia spans from $36,600 at entry-level to $78,910 at senior level — a difference of $42,310 per year.

P10
$36K
P25
$45K
Median
$64K
P75
$74K
P90
$78K

Career Growth Premium: +116%

Senior Security Guardss in District of Columbia earn $42,310 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$42,310
Monthly Difference
+$3,526
Hourly Difference
+$20.34
Growth Multiple
2.2x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Security Guards salary increases with experience in District of Columbia, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $36,600 $3,050 $17.60
Early Career P25 $45,510 $3,792 $21.88
Mid-Career Median $64,210 $5,351 $30.87
Experienced P75 $74,200 $6,183 $35.67
Senior / Expert P90 $78,910 $6,576 $37.94
Key Insight

Security Guards in District of Columbia has a moderate salary progression with a 116% growth from entry-level ($36,600) to senior ($78,910). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($64,210) and P90 ($78,910) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How District of Columbia Compares to Other States

Where does District of Columbia rank for Security Guards senior-level salaries? Compare District of Columbia's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$78,910
Entry: $36K
+116%
2
$78,680
Entry: $32K
+146%
3
$76,350
Entry: $36K
+109%
4
$73,390
Entry: $32K
+126%
5
$73,060
Entry: $30K
+136%
6
$72,620
Entry: $36K
+101%
7
$70,310
Entry: $34K
+107%
8
$68,860
Entry: $31K
+122%
9
$68,390
Entry: $37K
+81%
10
$67,680
Entry: $30K
+123%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Security Guards?

Entry-level Security Guardss (10th percentile) earn approximately $36,600 per year, or $3,050 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $45,510. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Security Guards make?

Senior Security Guardss (90th percentile) earn approximately $78,910 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $74,200. This represents a career premium of 116% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Security Guards?

The career salary growth potential for Security Guardss is 116%. Entry-level professionals start at $36,600, while senior-level can earn up to $78,910 — a difference of $42,310 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Security Guardss?

The highest-paying state for senior Security Guardss is District of Columbia, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $78,910 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Security Guards salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

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About This Data

Salary percentile data for District of Columbia from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within District of Columbia.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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