Security Guards Salary in Great Falls, MT
The median pay for a security guards in Great Falls, MT is $41,480/year ($19.94/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $29K at the entry level to $43K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 96.84), that's roughly $42,834 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,284/month — about 45.4% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $41K get you in Great Falls?
About security guards
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Great Falls, MT
Entry-level security guards (10th percentile) start around $29K. Mid-career wages sit at $41K.Top earners bring in $43K or more - a $14K spread from bottom to top.
Security Guards pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $63K | +65% | 16,160 |
| Alaska | $49K | +27% | 2,050 |
| Washington | $48K | +25% | 24,820 |
| Minnesota | $46K | +20% | 14,030 |
| Massachusetts | $45K | +17% | 24,100 |
| New Hampshire | $45K | +16% | 2,630 |
| California | $44K | +14% | 185,510 |
| Oregon | $44K | +14% | 11,550 |
| Virginia | $43K | +13% | 33,440 |
| Vermont | $43K | +12% | 830 |
| New York | $43K | +11% | 132,140 |
| Utah | $42K | +11% | 7,000 |
| Hawaii | $42K | +9% | 9,790 |
| Maine | $41K | +8% | 1,760 |
| Missouri | $41K | +6% | 19,180 |
Track security guards salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Great Falls numbers change.
Related careers in Public Safety
Frequently asked questions
How much do security guards make in Great Falls, MT?
The median is $41,480 a year - that works out to about $19.94 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $29,320, and experienced security guards can clear $43,400. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $41K enough to live in Great Falls?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,836/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,284/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 45.3% 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 Great Falls?
Great Falls has a Regional Price Parity of 96.84 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median security guards salary is worth about $42,834 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.