Security Guards Salary in Idaho
At $38,300 a year, the median for security guards in Idaho is close to the national median of $38,020 (+1%); Idaho ranks 25th of 51 states by median. That is 20% less than the median across all occupations in Idaho ($47,970). Among neighbouring states, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming and Montana pay more (up to $47,100 in Washington) and Nevada pays less (down to $37,310 in Nevada). Idaho employs 3,750 security guards, 4.37 per 1,000 jobs, the 41st largest count of any state. A location quotient of 0.53 means it is less common in Idaho than nationally.
Idaho vs the United States, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Idaho | Hourly | $15.40 | $16.55 | $18.41 | $22.08 | $37.83 | $21.20 | 3,750 | 4.37 | 0.53 |
| Annual | $32,030 | $34,430 | $38,300 | $45,930 | $78,680 | $44,100 | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $14.52 | $16.93 | $18.28 | $22.21 | $28.29 | $20.42 | 1,283,470 | – | – |
| Annual | $30,210 | $35,210 | $38,020 | $46,200 | $58,840 | $42,470 | ||||
- Rank by median
- 25th of 51 states
- Rank by employment
- 41st of 51 states
- Location quotient
- 0.53
- Jobs per 1,000
- 4.37
Ranks count the 50 states and DC with a published value. The location quotient is the occupation's share of Idaho's employment divided by its national share; 1.00 means the same share as the nation. Take-home pay at these wages: FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Metropolitan areas in Idaho
7 metropolitan areas and 2 nonmetropolitan areas touching Idaho publish a row for security guards, sorted by median. Areas crossing a state line are listed under every state they touch; a linked metro has its own profile.
| Area | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho Falls, ID | $37.83 | $78,680 | $32,600 | $78,680 | 570 | 6.96 | 0.84 |
| Logan, UT-ID | $19.04 | $39,600 | $33,470 | $64,070 | 100 | 1.56 | 0.19 |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $18.69 | $38,870 | $33,110 | $48,830 | 330 | 4.59 | 0.56 |
| Pocatello, ID | $18.17 | $37,790 | $30,100 | $45,930 | 100 | 2.57 | 0.31 |
| Boise City, ID | $17.97 | $37,380 | $32,260 | $47,760 | 2,080 | 5.32 | 0.64 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $17.62 | $36,650 | $31,860 | $50,350 | 80 | 2.73 | 0.33 |
| Twin Falls, ID | $15.41 | $32,040 | $32,030 | $48,450 | 190 | 3.87 | 0.47 |
| Southeast-Central Idaho nonmetropolitan area | $18.28 | $38,030 | $28,130 | $48,780 | 160 | 1.68 | 0.20 |
| Northwestern Idaho nonmetropolitan area | $17.72 | $36,860 | $29,840 | $51,410 | 150 | 2.00 | 0.24 |
Neighbouring states
See the national page for Security Guards (every state ranked) and the Idaho wage profile (every occupation in the state).
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS Idaho estimates.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.