Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much does a Security Guards actually take home in Maryland?
Progressive (up to 5.8%) — 19.1% effective total tax rateData: BLS OEWS 2025 + IRS/State Tax Brackets 2024 • Updated 2026-05-19
Detailed line-by-line tax calculation for a Security Guards earning $38,220 in Maryland (single filer, standard deduction).
| Tax Component | Annual Amount | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary (Median) | $38,220 | — |
| Federal Income Tax | -$2,602 | 6.8% |
| Maryland State Income Tax | -$1,762 | 4.6% |
| Social Security (OASDI) | -$2,369 | 6.2% |
| Medicare | -$554 | 1.5% |
| Total Taxes | -$7,289 | 19.1% |
| Take-Home Pay | $30,930 | 80.9% |
Take-home pay varies significantly across experience levels. Here is the after-tax breakdown for each salary percentile of Security Guards in Maryland.
| Percentile | Gross Salary | Total Taxes | Take-Home Pay | Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $33,700 | -$6,186 | $27,513 | 18.4% |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $35,700 | -$6,674 | $29,025 | 18.7% |
| Median (P50) | $38,220 | -$7,289 | $30,930 | 19.1% |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $46,750 | -$9,370 | $37,379 | 20.0% |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $64,320 | -$13,914 | $50,405 | 21.6% |
After federal income tax ($2,602), state tax ($1,762), and FICA ($2,923), a Security Guards in Maryland takes home $30,930 per year — or $2,577 per month. The effective tax rate of 19.1% is relatively low compared to the national range.
A Security Guards in Maryland faces an effective total tax rate of only 19.1%, keeping 80.9% of every gross dollar. That leaves $30,931 net out of $38,220 gross — a favorable outcome compared to states with combined rates above 30%.
Maryland uses a progressive state income tax, so brackets escalate as wages rise. For this Security Guards salary the state tax works out to $1,763 (4.6% effective) — on top of federal and FICA.
Federal tax on this Security Guards salary is $2,602 (36%), but combined state ($1,763, 24%) + FICA ($2,924, 40%) make up the other 64% of the bill.
A Security Guards earning this gross in a no-income-tax state (e.g., Texas, Florida) would take home approximately $32,694 — only $1,763 (5.7%) more than in Maryland.
Maryland ranks #27 of 51 states for Security Guards after-tax pay — lower half of the national distribution. Either gross wages trail the national median, state tax is elevated, or both.
Translated into paycheck cadences, $30,931 net/year works out to $2,578/month or $1,190/bi-weekly for this Security Guards in Maryland — the numbers that actually hit a checking account after every deduction.
Where does a Security Guards keep the most of their paycheck? Top 10 states ranked by after-tax take-home pay.
Maryland ranks #27 out of 51 states for Security Guards after-tax take-home pay.
A Security Guards in Maryland earning a median salary of $38,220 will take home approximately $30,930 per year after federal income tax ($2,602), state income tax ($1,762), and FICA ($2,923). That is $2,577 per month or $1,189 per bi-weekly paycheck.
The effective total tax rate for a Security Guards in Maryland is 19.1%, broken down as: federal income tax 6.8%, Maryland state tax 4.6%, and FICA (Social Security + Medicare) 7.6%. This assumes a single filer with the standard deduction for 2024.
Maryland has a progressive (up to 5.8%). On a Security Guards's median salary of $38,220, the state income tax amounts to $1,762 per year, which is an effective state rate of 4.6%.
After all taxes, a Security Guards in Maryland takes home approximately $2,577 per month, or about $14.87 per hour (based on a standard 2,080-hour work year). These figures assume a single filer, standard deduction, and no additional pre-tax deductions.
We start with the 2025 BLS median salary of $38,220 for Security Guards in Maryland, then subtract: federal income tax using 2024 IRS brackets ($14,600 standard deduction), Maryland state income tax (progressive (up to 5.8%)), Social Security (6.2% up to $168,600), and Medicare (1.45%). The result — $30,930/yr — does not include local taxes, pre-tax deductions (401k, HSA), or tax credits.
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This estimate assumes a single filer using the 2024 standard deduction ($14,600), with W-2 employment income only. It does not account for: itemized deductions, tax credits (e.g. earned income credit, child tax credit), local/city taxes, pre-tax contributions (401k, HSA, FSA), self-employment tax, or additional income sources. Actual take-home pay may differ. Consult a tax professional for personalized advice.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Salary: BLS OEWS · Tax: IRS + State DOR