Security Guards Salary in San Francisco, CA
Updated 2024 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsUSD $
Median Salary
$48,000
Average Salary
$52,000
Salary Range
$31,000 - $61,000
Est. Employment*
10,600
*Employment figures are estimates based on national occupational data distributed across metro areas. Actual local numbers may vary.
Search Jobs on IndeedSalary Distribution
10th to 90th percentile range. Half of all security guards earn between $39,000 and $56,000.
About Security Guards in San Francisco
Security Guards protect the public by enforcing laws, responding to emergencies, and ensuring community safety. They work in law enforcement, firefighting, corrections, and security roles.
In San Francisco, security guards benefit from higher salaries that reflect the area's elevated cost of living. The area's major industries include Technology, Finance & Venture Capital, Biotech & Life Sciences.
Key Skills
Education
High school diploma to bachelor's degree, depending on the role
Requirements vary significantly. Police officers typically need some college education or a degree. Firefighters usually need a high school diploma plus fire academy training. Federal law enforcement positions often require a bachelor's degree.
Tips to Earn More as a Security Guards
Security Guards Salary in Other Cities
| City | Median | Range | vs San Francisco |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $50,000 | $32,000 - $63,000 | +4% |
| Seattle, WA | $46,000 | $30,000 - $58,000 | -4% |
| Boston, MA | $45,000 | $31,000 - $55,000 | -6% |
| New York, NY | $44,000 | $31,000 - $54,000 | -8% |
| Washington DC, DC | $43,000 | $30,000 - $53,000 | -10% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $42,000 | $29,000 - $51,000 | -12% |
| San Diego, CA | $42,000 | $29,000 - $51,000 | -12% |
| Denver, CO | $41,000 | $29,000 - $50,000 | -15% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $40,000 | $28,000 - $49,000 | -17% |
| Austin, TX | $40,000 | $28,000 - $49,000 | -17% |
| Honolulu, HI | $40,000 | $28,000 - $49,000 | -17% |
| Portland, OR | $39,000 | $27,000 - $48,000 | -19% |
| Baltimore, MD | $39,000 | $27,000 - $48,000 | -19% |
| Anchorage, AK | $39,000 | $27,000 - $48,000 | -19% |
| Chicago, IL | $38,000 | $27,000 - $47,000 | -21% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $38,000 | $27,000 - $47,000 | -21% |
| Sacramento, CA | $38,000 | $27,000 - $47,000 | -21% |
| Hartford, CT | $38,000 | $27,000 - $47,000 | -21% |
| Dallas, TX | $37,000 | $26,000 - $45,000 | -23% |
| Houston, TX | $37,000 | $26,000 - $45,000 | -23% |
| Atlanta, GA | $36,000 | $25,000 - $44,000 | -25% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $36,000 | $25,000 - $44,000 | -25% |
| Raleigh, NC | $36,000 | $25,000 - $44,000 | -25% |
| Charlotte, NC | $36,000 | $25,000 - $44,000 | -25% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $36,000 | $25,000 - $44,000 | -25% |
| Columbus, OH | $36,000 | $25,000 - $44,000 | -25% |
| Kansas City, MO | $36,000 | $25,000 - $44,000 | -25% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $36,000 | $25,000 - $44,000 | -25% |
| Detroit, MI | $35,000 | $24,000 - $43,000 | -27% |
| Nashville, TN | $35,000 | $24,000 - $43,000 | -27% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $35,000 | $24,000 - $43,000 | -27% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $35,000 | $24,000 - $43,000 | -27% |
| St. Louis, MO | $35,000 | $24,000 - $43,000 | -27% |
| Richmond, VA | $35,000 | $24,000 - $43,000 | -27% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $34,000 | $24,000 - $42,000 | -29% |
| Cleveland, OH | $34,000 | $24,000 - $42,000 | -29% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $34,000 | $24,000 - $42,000 | -29% |
| New Orleans, LA | $34,000 | $24,000 - $42,000 | -29% |
| Toronto, ON | $34,000 | $24,000 - $42,000 | -29% |
| Vancouver, BC | $34,000 | $24,000 - $42,000 | -29% |
| Miami, FL | $33,000 | $23,000 - $40,000 | -31% |
| Tampa, FL | $33,000 | $23,000 - $40,000 | -31% |
| Orlando, FL | $33,000 | $23,000 - $40,000 | -31% |
| San Antonio, TX | $33,000 | $23,000 - $40,000 | -31% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $33,000 | $23,000 - $40,000 | -31% |
| Memphis, TN | $33,000 | $23,000 - $40,000 | -31% |
| Louisville, KY | $33,000 | $23,000 - $40,000 | -31% |
| Buffalo, NY | $33,000 | $23,000 - $40,000 | -31% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $32,000 | $22,000 - $39,000 | -33% |
| Birmingham, AL | $32,000 | $22,000 - $39,000 | -33% |
| Tucson, AZ | $32,000 | $22,000 - $39,000 | -33% |
| Ottawa, ON | $31,000 | $22,000 - $38,000 | -35% |
| Calgary, AB | $31,000 | $22,000 - $38,000 | -35% |
| Edmonton, AB | $30,000 | $21,000 - $37,000 | -37% |
| Hamilton, ON | $29,000 | $20,000 - $36,000 | -40% |
| Montreal, QC | $28,000 | $20,000 - $34,000 | -42% |
| Winnipeg, MB | $27,000 | $19,000 - $33,000 | -44% |
| Halifax, NS | $26,000 | $18,000 - $32,000 | -46% |
| Quebec City, QC | $25,000 | $18,000 - $31,000 | -48% |