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Guard pay in District of Columbia

What security guards make in District of Columbia

District of Columbia has 15,880 security guards. Half earned more than $30.87 an hour (about $64,000 a year full time) in the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2025 survey, against $18.28 nationally.

DC
Security guards, District of ColumbiaHourlyFull-time year
25th percentile$21.88$45,500
Median$30.87$64,000
75th percentile$35.67$74,000
90th percentile$37.94$79,000
Supervisors, median$40.24$83,500

How District of Columbia compares

District of Columbia ranks 1 of 51 for median security guard pay (1 is highest), 69% above the national median of $18.28. The middle half of District of Columbia guards earned between $21.88 and $35.67 an hour; the top tenth earned $37.94 or more.

Estimate your own pay

$26.50–$33.25 /hr≈ $55,000–$69,000 a year full-time
you: $26.50–$33.25
25th
$21.88
median
$30.87
75th
$35.67
90th
$37.94
District of Columbia guard median: $30.87/hr (+69% vs the national $18.28)15,880 guards employed in District of Columbia
  • Experience places you inside the state wage distribution: newer guards near the 25th percentile, 7+ years between the 75th and 90th.

Getting paid under the band?

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES), 2025 annual estimates (bls.gov), retrieved 2026-08-30. Ranges are statistical estimates for negotiation context, not a guarantee of pay; local markets, sites, and shifts vary.

Looking for better pay?

11 open security jobs in District of Columbia right now, with pay where the company lists it. A free tessura account keeps your District of Columbia license in a credential wallet with renewal reminders and sends you new jobs.

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District of Columbia license requirements

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES), 2025 annual estimates, occupations 33-9032 Security Guards and 33-1091 First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers, District of Columbia table. Full-time year is hourly pay times 2,080 hours. BLS does not separate armed and unarmed posts.