Security Guard Salary in Seattle, Washington

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$50,879/ year

Median Security Guard in Seattle, WA

$32,603
10th
$39,760
25th
$50,879
Median
$65,321
75th
$79,692
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$50,879
Total compensation (est.)
$58,511
Bonus range
$1,400 – $5,520
Mean salary
$53,932

How This Compares

Seattle, WA median
$50,879
Washington median
$36,547+39.2%
National median
$35,830+42.0%

Cost of living in Seattle is 42% above the national average. Salary of $50,879 here is equivalent to $35,830 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$36,633-28.0%
3-5 years
$46,300-9.0%
6-10 years
$56,984+12.0%
10+ years
$70,213+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$44,774-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$50,879
Enterprise (5,000+)
$60,037+18.0%

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Security Guard Salaries in Nearby Cities

Spokane, WA$35,830/yr
Tacoma, WA$35,830/yr
Vancouver, WA$35,830/yr
Bellevue, WA$35,830/yr
Kent, WA$35,830/yr

Related Jobs in Seattle

Police Officer$95,552/yr
Firefighter$82,772/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$24/hr
Monthly gross$4,240/mo
25th percentile$39,760/yr
75th percentile$65,321/yr

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Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

Washington Unemployment

Dec 2025

4.7%+0.10

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

Security Guard Salaries by City

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Security Guard salary in Seattle?

The median Security Guard salary in Seattle is $50,879 per year, with a range from $39,760 at the 25th percentile to $65,321 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does Security Guard pay in Seattle compare to the national average?

Security Guard salaries in Seattle are 42% above the national median of $35,830. After adjusting for Seattle's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $35,830 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Security Guard salaries in Seattle?

In Seattle, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Security Guard roles start around $32,603, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $79,692 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Seattle a good place for Security Guard jobs?

Seattle offers a Security Guard median of $50,879, which is 42% above the US median of $35,830. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Seattle is 42% more expensive than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher Security Guard salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for Security Guard in Seattle is $65,321, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.