Security Guards pay range in South Bend
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $29,950 a year or less, while the top 10% make $53,590 or more. The middle half of security guards in South Bend earn between $34,160 and $39,320.
- $30K10th
- $34K25th
- $36KMedian
- $39K75th
- $54K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $38,840 | $3,237 | $18.67 |
| Median | $36,090 | $3,008 | $17.35 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $34,160 | $2,847 | $16.42 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $39,320 | $3,277 | $18.90 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Security Guards pay in South Bend vs. Indiana and the U.S.
Security guards in South Bend earn 4% less than the Indiana average ($40,660) and 9% less than the U.S. average ($42,470). At the median the gap is -5% against the U.S. median of $38,020.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Bend | $38,840 | $36,090 | $29,950 | $53,590 | 900 |
| Indiana | $40,660 | $36,490 | $29,850 | $59,990 | 19,930 |
| United States | $42,470 | $38,020 | $30,210 | $58,840 | 1,283,470 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Security Guards salary after taxes in South Bend
On the average salary of $38,840, a single filer in South Bend takes home about $31,591 a year, or $2,633 a month and $1,215 every two weeks. Taxes take 19% of gross pay.
The South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in MI | $31,984 | $2,665 |
| Working in IN | $31,591 | $2,633 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes South Bend's local income tax (1.75%).
Is South Bend a good place for security guards? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the South Bend area are 7% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 92.9), so the average $38,840 buys what about $41,827 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.8 times the median wage of all jobs in South Bend ($46,540). A typical home costs $238,866, or 6.2 years of this average salary before tax.
Security Guards salary in other Indiana cities
South Bend ranks 9th of 12 Indiana metro areas for this job; Kokomo pays the most ($47,230).
- Kokomo$47,230
- Michigan City$41,590
- Lafayette$41,420
- Indianapolis$40,650
- Fort Wayne$40,360
- Evansville$39,610
- Columbus$39,450
- Elkhart$39,350
- South Bend$38,840
- Bloomington$38,470
Highest-paying cities for security guards
Idaho Falls, ID pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($68,260).
- Idaho Falls, ID$68,260
- Fairbanks, AK$60,120
- Kennewick, WA$59,640
- Burlington, VT$55,360
- Anchorage, AK$54,540
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Security Guards salary in South Bend: questions
How much do security guards make an hour in South Bend?
$18.67 an hour on average, and $17.35 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level security guards salary in South Bend?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $29,950 a year and the 25th percentile is $34,160, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the security guards take-home pay in South Bend?
About $31,591 a year ($2,633 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $38,840. Includes South Bend's local income tax (1.75%).
Do security guards earn more in South Bend than elsewhere?
The average here is 9% less than the U.S. average for this job ($42,470).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 33-9032; area South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI (43780). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.1%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes South Bend's local income tax (1.75%).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.83, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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