Security Guards Salary in Kentucky

Security guards in Kentucky earn the most in Paducah (average $48,080 a year) and the least in Owensboro ($35,690), across the 6 Kentucky metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the security guards average at $38,540 and the median at $35,420 for 13,580 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $42,470.

Security Guards average salary by city in Kentucky

Paducah$48,080
Louisville$40,210
Bowling Green$39,440
Elizabethtown$37,550
Lexington$37,490
Owensboro$35,690

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
Paducah	$48,080	$36,370	$31,200	$38,285	86
Louisville	$40,210	$36,420	$34,490	$32,314	93
Bowling Green	$39,440	$34,720	$31,710	$31,818	90
Elizabethtown	$37,550	$34,450	$29,470	$30,423	91
Lexington	$37,490	$35,400	$33,990	$30,078	93
Owensboro	$35,690	$31,440	$31,440	$29,090	89

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer; includes Paducah's local income tax (2%). Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.

Security Guards salary in other states

Security Guards salary by city and state

More about pay in Kentucky

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.
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.

Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.