Security Guards Salary in Arkansas

Security guards in Arkansas earn the most in Hot Springs (average $42,580 a year) and the least in Jonesboro ($37,280), across the 5 Arkansas metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the security guards average at $38,300 and the median at $35,770 for 6,390 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $42,470.

Security Guards average salary by city in Arkansas

Hot Springs$42,580
Fayetteville$38,490
Fort Smith$37,690
Little Rock$37,560
Jonesboro$37,280

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
Hot Springs	$42,580	$36,120	$35,080	$35,305	86
Fayetteville	$38,490	$36,110	$31,200	$32,170	91
Fort Smith	$37,690	$34,530	$29,270	$31,557	86
Little Rock	$37,560	$35,930	$29,200	$31,457	89
Jonesboro	$37,280	$34,820	$30,960	$31,242	86

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer; Arkansas tax is estimated with the Department of Finance and Administration's 2026 withholding formula. 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 Arkansas

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.

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