folvr

Security Guard Salary in St. Louis, Missouri

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

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$31,889/ year

Median Security Guard in St. Louis, MO

$20,434
10th
$24,920
25th
$31,889
Median
$40,940
75th
$49,947
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$31,889
Total compensation (est.)
$36,672
Bonus range
$1,400 – $5,520
Mean salary
$33,802

How This Compares

St. Louis, MO median
$31,889
Missouri median
$36,547-12.7%
National median
$35,830-11.0%

Cost of living in St. Louis is 11% below the national average. Salary of $31,889 here is equivalent to $35,830 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$22,960-28.0%
3-5 years
$29,019-9.0%
6-10 years
$35,716+12.0%
10+ years
$44,007+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$28,062-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$31,889
Enterprise (5,000+)
$37,629+18.0%

Add your salary data

Anonymous. 60 seconds. See how you compare instantly.

$30K
$30K$500K

Security Guard Salaries in Nearby Cities

Kansas City, MO$32,605/yr
Springfield, MO$35,830/yr
Columbia, MO$35,830/yr
Independence, MO$35,830/yr

Related Jobs in St. Louis

Police Officer$59,888/yr
Firefighter$51,878/yr
Correctional Officer$44,153/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$15/hr
Monthly gross$2,657/mo
25th percentile$24,920/yr
75th percentile$40,940/yr

Find Security Guard jobs in St. Louis

See open positions and negotiate with real data.

Search Indeed →Search LinkedIn →

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

Missouri Unemployment

Dec 2025

3.9%-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

Compare all US cities →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Security Guard salary in St. Louis?

The median Security Guard salary in St. Louis is $31,889 per year, with a range from $24,920 at the 25th percentile to $40,940 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 St. Louis compare to the national average?

Security Guard salaries in St. Louis are 11% below the national median of $35,830. After adjusting for St. Louis'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 St. Louis?

In St. Louis, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Security Guard roles start around $20,434, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $49,947 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is St. Louis a good place for Security Guard jobs?

St. Louis offers a Security Guard median of $31,889, which is 11% below the US median of $35,830. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — St. Louis is 11% cheaper 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 St. Louis is $40,940, 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.