Home / Compare / Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers vs. Security Guards Salary comparison Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers vs. Security Guards: Salary Comparison (2026) Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officerss earn a median salary of $76,290/year, while Security Guardss earn $38,370/year - a difference of $37,920. Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officerss earn more on average. Both salaries are based on national BLS data.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Security Guards
Median salary
$76,290
$38,370
Hourly rate
$36.68/hr
$18.45/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$47,640
$29,800
Senior level (90th %)
$115,280
$59,580
Education required
Varies
Varies
U.S. employment
666,990
1,241,770
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Public Safety
Public Safety
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), BEA Regional Price Parities & HUD Fair Market Rents.
Source data is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), Bureau of Economic Analysis (Regional Price Parities), and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (Fair Market Rents). AffordMap is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Per BLS policy, "BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov."
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