Security Guards pay range in Fargo
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $31,730 a year or less, while the top 10% make $64,370 or more. The middle half of security guards in Fargo earn between $33,890 and $45,040.
- $32K10th
- $34K25th
- $38KMedian
- $45K75th
- $64K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $42,010 | $3,501 | $20.20 |
| Median | $37,770 | $3,148 | $18.16 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $33,890 | $2,824 | $16.29 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $45,040 | $3,753 | $21.65 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Security Guards pay in Fargo vs. North Dakota and the U.S.
Security guards in Fargo earn about the same as the North Dakota average ($43,150) and about the same as the U.S. average ($42,470). At the median the gap is -1% against the U.S. median of $38,020.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | $42,010 | $37,770 | $31,730 | $64,370 | 350 |
| North Dakota | $43,150 | $39,310 | $31,150 | $64,390 | 1,310 |
| 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 Fargo
On the average salary of $42,010, a single filer in Fargo takes home about $35,935 a year, or $2,995 a month and $1,382 every two weeks. Taxes take 14% of gross pay.
The Fargo, ND-MN metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in ND | $35,935 | $2,995 |
| Working in MN | $34,506 | $2,876 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Fargo a good place for security guards? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Fargo area are 9% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 90.9), so the average $42,010 buys what about $46,230 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.7 times the median wage of all jobs in Fargo ($51,050). A typical home costs $327,854, or 7.8 years of this average salary before tax.
Security Guards salary in other North Dakota cities
Fargo ranks 2nd of 4 North Dakota metro areas for this job; Minot pays the most ($43,480).
- Minot$43,480
- Fargo$42,010
- Grand Forks$41,740
- Bismarck$39,780
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 Fargo: questions
How much do security guards make an hour in Fargo?
$20.20 an hour on average, and $18.16 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level security guards salary in Fargo?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $31,730 a year and the 25th percentile is $33,890, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the security guards take-home pay in Fargo?
About $35,935 a year ($2,995 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $42,010.
Do security guards earn more in Fargo than elsewhere?
The average here is about the same as 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 Fargo, ND-MN (22020). 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 (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.28, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.28).
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