Iowa ranks 34th of 51 states and D.C. for security guards pay, trailing top-paying District of Columbia ($63,130) by $25,750 — a 69% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $30,810 to $49,710 — a $18,900 spread, 37% tighter than the national $29,780 range.
Security Guards are less concentrated in Iowa than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.51 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.96× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $30,810 | $14.81 |
| 25th percentile | $34,740 | $16.70 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $37,380 | $17.97 |
| 75th percentile | $44,250 | $21.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,710 | $23.90 |
| Mean (average) | $40,310 | $19.38 |
How Iowa Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa (current) | $37,380 | n/a |
| District of Columbia | $63,130 | +69% |
| Alaska | $48,620 | +30% |
| Washington | $48,010 | +28% |
| Colorado | $46,080 | +23% |
| Minnesota | $46,020 | +23% |
| Massachusetts | $44,950 | +20% |
| New Hampshire | $44,510 | +19% |
| California | $43,930 | +18% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Iowa
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,370 | 26,020 |
| Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers | $37,450 | 8,020 |
| Residential Advisors | $37,260 | 490 |
| Library Technicians | $37,180 | 1,500 |
| Self-Enrichment Teachers | $37,590 | 3,040 |
| Couriers and Messengers | $37,730 | 720 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Security Guards salary in Iowa?
The mean security guards salary in Iowa is $40,310 per year. The median (middle) salary is $37,380 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Security Guards in Iowa?
Entry-level security guardss (10th percentile) in Iowa typically earn around $30,810 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $34,740 per year.
What is the highest Security Guards salary in Iowa?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Iowa make approximately $49,710 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $44,250 per year.
How does the Iowa Security Guards salary compare to the national average?
The median security guards salary in Iowa is $37,380, which is -3% below national average of $38,370.