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Security Guards Salary in Portland, OR

BLS Official DataUpdated 2025-05-31
Median Annual

$46,820

Mean: $47,960

~$36,520 est. take-home

Hourly Rate

$22.51

Based on 2,080 hrs/yr

Cost of Living

100

100 = national avg

Security Guards salary in Portland, OR — median $46,820/year, range $43,610-$49,070

Salary Distribution

Where the median falls between the 25th and 75th percentile.

25th %

$43,610

Median

$46,820

75th %

$49,070

Median is in the 59th percentile of the typical range

Security Guards in other OR cities

Compare the same occupation across cities in OR.

About Security Guards salaries in Portland, OR

Security Guards in Portland, OR earn a median of $46,820 per year, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. The mean salary is $47,960, which tends to skew higher because a small number of high earners pull the average up.

Most security guards in this area earn between $43,610 and $49,070. Where you land depends on experience, employer type, and whether you have in-demand specializations.

That works out to roughly $22.51 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual hourly pay may differ for part-time or contract roles.

Career Outlook

5% growthAs fast as average (BLS 2024–2034)

5% growth. Steady demand from office buildings, hospitals, schools, and event venues. Some roles are evolving to include monitoring digital security systems alongside traditional patrols.

Worth knowing: Armed security certifications and state guard cards open up better-paying positions. Corporate and hospital security roles pay noticeably more than residential or retail assignments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a security guards in Portland?

The median — where half earn more and half earn less — is $46,820. The average (mean) is $47,960, which is higher because top earners pull it up.

How much does a security guards make per hour in Portland?

About $22.51/hour, based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Part-time or overtime hours will change the actual rate.

What is the salary range for security guards in Portland?

The middle 50% earn between $43,610 and $49,070. Below $43,610 is typically entry-level; above $49,070 usually means significant experience or specialized skills.

Salary Conversion Table

How does $46,820 per year break down across different time periods?

PeriodGrossEst. Take-Home
Yearly$46,820$36,520
Monthly$3,902$3,043
Biweekly$1,801$1,405
Weekly$900$702
Hourly (40h/wk)$22.51$17.56
Hourly (35h/wk)$25.73$20.07
Hourly (30h/wk)$30.01$23.41
Daily (8h)$180$140

Take-home estimates use an effective tax rate of 22%. Actual amounts vary by filing status, deductions, and state tax.

Security Guards: Highest-Paying Cities in the U.S.

Top 10 cities nationwide for security guards, based on BLS median salary data.

Related Occupations in Portland

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