Security Guards Salary
The median pay for a security guards in North Dakota is $39,310/year ($18.9/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $31K at the entry level to $64K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.89), which stretches that salary to about $44,223 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,034/month, about 37.9% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Dakota. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $39K get you in North Dakota?
About security guards
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What this looks like in North Dakota
Security guards pay in North Dakota tracks closely to the national median, $39K locally vs. $38K nationwide, a 3% difference. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,034/month, which is 37.8% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.89 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, North Dakota
Entry-level security guards (10th percentile) start around $31K. Mid-career wages sit at $39K. Top earners bring in $64K or more, a $33K spread from bottom to top.
Security Guards salary by metro in North Dakota
4 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks | $42K | +6% | 110 |
| Minot | $39K | +0% | 80 |
| Fargo | $38K | -4% | 350 |
| Bismarck | $36K | -8% | 380 |
Compare to other states
Track security guards salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Dakota numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a security guard afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Dakota?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $39K, rent takes 37.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,034/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $800/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for security guards in North Dakota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new security guards typically earn — is $31K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $1,869/month. At HUD’s $1,034/month FMR, rent would take 55% 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 North Dakota?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $39K locally vs. $38K nationally, a 3% difference.
How does North Dakota compare to the national average for security guards?
North Dakota pays $39K median vs. the U.S. average of $38K — that’s +3%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $44K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do security guards make in North Dakota?
The median is $39,310 a year, that works out to about $19 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $31,150, and experienced security guards can clear $64,390. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $39K enough to live in North Dakota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,738/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,034/month, which eats 37.8% 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 North Dakota?
North Dakota has a Regional Price Parity of 88.89 (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 $44,223 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.