Security Guards Salary
The median pay for a security guards in Colorado is $45,150/year ($21.71/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $36K at the entry level to $57K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Colorado. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $45K get you in Colorado?
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Colorado
Entry-level security guards (10th percentile) start around $36K. Mid-career wages sit at $45K. Top earners bring in $57K or more, a $21K spread from bottom to top.
Security Guards salary by metro in Colorado
7 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $46K | +3% | 480 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial | $45K | +1% | 10,910 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland | $43K | -4% | 1,080 |
| Colorado Springs | $43K | -5% | 2,210 |
| Pueblo | $40K | -11% | 490 |
| Grand Junction | $39K | -15% | 230 |
| Greeley | $37K | -18% | 470 |
Compare to other states
Track security guards salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Colorado numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a security guard afford a 2BR apartment alone in Colorado?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $45K, rent takes 67.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,044/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $900/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for security guards in Colorado?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new security guards typically earn — is $36K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,170/month.
Is security guard a high-paying job in Colorado?
Local pay is 19% above the national median — $45K here vs. $38K nationally.
How does Colorado compare to the national average for security guards?
Colorado pays $45K median vs. the U.S. average of $38K — that’s +19%.
How much do security guards make in Colorado?
The median is $45,150 a year, that works out to about $22 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $36,160, and experienced security guards can clear $57,360. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $45K enough to live in Colorado?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,027/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,044/month, which eats 67.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a security guards salary go in Colorado?
Colorado has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median security guards salary is worth about $45,150 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do security guards get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.