Security Guards Salary
The median pay for a security guards in Idaho Falls, ID is $78,680/year ($37.83/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $33K at the entry level to $79K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.41), which stretches that salary to about $83,339 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,305/month, or 25.2% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $79K get you in Idaho Falls?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Idaho Falls’s Regional Price Parity (94.41). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About security guards
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What this looks like in Idaho Falls
Idaho Falls sits well above the national pay line for security guards, local pay runs about 107% higher than the U.S. median of $38K. Rent runs $1,305/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 26% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.41 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for security guards in metros near Idaho Falls, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Boise City | $37K | $38K |
| Coeur d'Alene | $39K | $40K |
| Twin Falls | $32K | $35K |
| Pocatello | $38K | $43K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Idaho Falls, ID
Entry-level security guards (10th percentile) start around $33K. Mid-career wages sit at $79K. Top earners bring in $79K or more, a $46K spread from bottom to top.
Security Guards pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Security Guards salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $64K | +69% | 15,880 |
| Alaska | $47K | +25% | 2,100 |
| Washington | $47K | +24% | 25,800 |
| Vermont | $46K | +20% | 930 |
| Oregon | $46K | +20% | 12,200 |
| New Hampshire | $45K | +19% | 2,450 |
| Colorado | $45K | +19% | 16,890 |
| Massachusetts | $45K | +17% | 23,930 |
| New York | $44K | +16% | 134,700 |
| Virginia | $44K | +15% | 34,870 |
| Minnesota | $43K | +14% | 14,440 |
| New Mexico | $43K | +14% | 8,410 |
| California | $43K | +14% | 199,480 |
| Hawaii | $43K | +13% | 10,160 |
| Utah | $43K | +12% | 7,310 |
| Missouri | $40K | +6% | 18,630 |
| Connecticut | $40K | +5% | 12,100 |
| Nebraska | $40K | +5% | 4,700 |
| Illinois | $39K | +4% | 53,830 |
| North Dakota | $39K | +3% | 1,310 |
| Wyoming | $39K | +3% | 1,130 |
| Maine | $39K | +3% | 1,930 |
| New Jersey | $39K | +2% | 41,540 |
| Montana | $38K | +1% | 1,610 |
| Idaho | $38K | +1% | 3,750 |
| Arizona | $38K | +1% | 29,820 |
| Maryland | $38K | +1% | 27,670 |
| Wisconsin | $37K | -2% | 12,030 |
| Nevada | $37K | -2% | 26,680 |
| South Dakota | $37K | -2% | 1,460 |
| Michigan | $37K | -2% | 25,240 |
| Kansas | $37K | -2% | 7,150 |
| Iowa | $37K | -2% | 6,890 |
| Pennsylvania | $37K | -3% | 43,610 |
| Rhode Island | $37K | -3% | 3,160 |
| Indiana | $36K | -4% | 19,930 |
| Delaware | $36K | -4% | 3,430 |
| Oklahoma | $36K | -5% | 12,210 |
| Tennessee | $36K | -5% | 27,690 |
| Texas | $36K | -5% | 106,210 |
| Florida | $36K | -6% | 95,370 |
| Arkansas | $36K | -6% | 6,390 |
| Ohio | $36K | -6% | 34,450 |
| South Carolina | $35K | -7% | 16,610 |
| Kentucky | $35K | -7% | 13,580 |
| North Carolina | $35K | -8% | 29,830 |
| Georgia | $35K | -8% | 36,210 |
| Alabama | $34K | -11% | 15,210 |
| Louisiana | $32K | -15% | 17,210 |
| Mississippi | $29K | -23% | 10,160 |
| West Virginia | $29K | -24% | 5,200 |
Showing 1–10 of 51 (all 50 states + DC)
Track security guards salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Idaho Falls numbers change.
Related careers in Public Safety
Frequently asked questions
Can a security guard afford a 2BR apartment alone in Idaho Falls?
Yes — at the median salary of $79K, rent takes 26% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,305/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for security guards in Idaho Falls?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new security guards typically earn — is $33K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $1,956/month. At HUD’s $1,305/month FMR, rent would take 67% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is security guard a high-paying job in Idaho Falls?
Local pay is 107% above the national median — $79K here vs. $38K nationally.
How does Idaho Falls compare to the national average for security guards?
Idaho Falls pays $79K median vs. the U.S. average of $38K — that’s +107%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.41), the purchasing-power equivalent is $83K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do security guards make in Idaho Falls, ID?
The median is $78,680 a year, that works out to about $38 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $32,600, and experienced security guards can clear $78,680. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $79K enough to live in Idaho Falls?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,020/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,305/month, which eats 26% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a security guards salary go in Idaho Falls?
Idaho Falls has a Regional Price Parity of 94.41 (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 $83,339 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.