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Security Guards Salary in Tennessee
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Security Guards make in Tennessee?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$36,000
Median Annual Salary
▼
-0.2% vs 2024
$38,500
Mean Salary
$36,000
Median Salary
$17.31
Hourly Rate
27,690 people work as Security Guards in Tennessee
Security Guards salary by percentile in Tennessee
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Security Guards in Tennessee earn a median salary of $36,000 per year ($3,000/month).
This is 8.6% below the national average of $39,375.
Tennessee ranks #39 out of 51 states for Security Guards pay.
Approximately 27,690 people work in this occupation across Tennessee.
Salaries decreased by 0.2% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Security Guards
Guard, patrol, or monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules. May operate x-ray and metal detector equipment.
Top Skills
Active Listening
3.75
Monitoring
3.38
Speaking
3.25
Critical Thinking
3.12
Coordination
3.12
Key Knowledge Areas
Public Safety and Security
4.74
Customer and Personal Service
4.54
English Language
4.32
Computers and Electronics
4.09
Administration and Management
3.99
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(79.3% of workers)
Salaries for Security Guards in Tennessee range from $29,310 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $51,680 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $30,850 and $40,620.
Median $36,000
P10: $29,310P25: $30,850P75: $40,620P90: $51,680
10th
$29,310
25th
$30,850
Median
$36,000
75th
$40,620
90th
$51,680
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$29,310
$14.09
$2,442
25th Percentile
$30,850
$14.83
$2,570
Median (50th)
$36,000
$17.31
$3,000
75th Percentile
$40,620
$19.53
$3,385
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$51,680
$24.85
$4,306
Note: The mean (average) salary of $38,500 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
The median annual salary for Security Guards in Tennessee is $36,000 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $38,500.
What is the salary range for a Security Guards in Tennessee?
Salaries for Security Guards in Tennessee range from $29,310 at the 10th percentile to $51,680 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $30,850 and $40,620.
What is the starting salary for a Security Guards in Tennessee?
Entry-level Security Guards positions in Tennessee typically start around $29,310 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $30,850 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Security Guards in Tennessee?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 27,690 people are employed as Security Guards in Tennessee.
What is the hourly rate for a Security Guards in Tennessee?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Security Guards in Tennessee is approximately $17.31 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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