Average Security Guards Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Security Guards in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA, earn an average annual salary of $45,170. This figure is notably higher than the national average of $42,450, suggesting that local economic factors and demand within this specific California region contribute to a more favorable compensation landscape for these essential professionals.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $45,170 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 29.6% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $58,740.
- Outlook: The Santa Maria-Santa Barbara area supports a local workforce of 840 Security Guards. With a Location Quotient of 0.52, the concentration of these roles is below the national average, indicating a potentially less saturated but still present market. The presence of 4.188 jobs per 1,000 workers suggests a steady, albeit not exceptionally high, demand for security personnel in the region.
Salary Overview
The average Security Guards in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA earns+6.4%above the national average.
$21.7
$869
$3,764
Security Guards Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for the last four years is not provided, it is generally assumed that salaries for Security Guards across the nation, including in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, have experienced a modest upward trend. This growth is typically driven by inflation, increasing demand for security services, and evolving industry standards, leading to incremental salary increases over time.
Security Guards Salary Distribution in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Career progression for Security Guards in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, as elsewhere, typically involves a salary increase with experience. Entry-level positions might start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned professionals with specialized skills or supervisory responsibilities can command significantly higher salaries. The percentile gaps in earnings reflect this clear path for career advancement and increased earning potential.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cadet / RecruitAcademy training and probationary period. | 10% (Entry) | $34,750 | $16.7 |
| OfficerPatrol duties, handling standard calls. | 25% (Junior) | $33,878 | $16.3 |
| Senior OfficerField training officer, specialized unit. | 50% (Median) | $42,730 | $20.5 |
| Sergeant / Lt.Shift supervisor, squad leader. | 75% (Senior) | $56,463 | $27.1 |
| Captain / ChiefDepartment command and administration. | 90% (Expert) | $58,740 | $28.2 |
Detailed Security Guards Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$45,170
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$45,170
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $45,170 for Security Guards in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of a Security Guard's salary in this location is equivalent to the national average, offering a balanced financial standing without the added pressure of a significantly higher or lower cost of living.
Job Market Context
840
Total Jobs
4.188
Per 1K Jobs
0.52
Location Quotient
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA has 0.52x the national average concentration of Security Guards jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.
A Location Quotient of 0.52 for Security Guards in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara indicates that the concentration of these jobs is less than half of the national average. This suggests that while the profession is present, it is not a dominant industry in the area compared to national trends, potentially offering fewer opportunities but also less competition for available positions.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Security Guards
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA Security Guards Salary | $70,130↑ 55% | 26 mi |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA Security Guards Salary | $42,740↓ 5% | 85 mi |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA Security Guards Salary | $44,680↓ 1% | 88 mi |
| North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area Security Guards Salary | $44,960↓ 0% | 92 mi |
| North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area Security Guards Salary | $45,860↑ 2% | 92 mi |
Comparing salaries near Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Hiring Security Guardss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Security Guards make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median annual salary for a Security Guards in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is $45,170. This typically ranges from $34,750 for entry-level positions to $58,740 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is 6.4% higher than the national median of $42,450.
Is Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA a lucrative place for Security Guards?
Moderately lucrative.Security Guards in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara earn above the national average salary, and the cost of living is on par with the national average, making it a stable financial choice.
Is Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA a good place to live for Security Guards?
The Cost of Living Index in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
Some top paying nearby cities include San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA ($70,130) and Bakersfield-Delano, CA.
How does the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara salary compare to the national average?
The average annual salary for Security Guards in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara is $45,170, which is higher than the national average of $42,450.
What is the Cost of Living in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
The Cost of Living Index in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara is 100, which is exactly the national average.
Is there high demand for Security Guards in this area?
With 4.188 jobs per 1,000 workers and a Location Quotient of 0.52, the demand is present but not exceptionally high compared to national concentrations.
How many Security Guards work in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
There are approximately 840 Security Guards employed in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara area.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 840 employees in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA area with a job density of 4.188 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
Explore Security Guards Salaries by State
Top Jobs in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
- All Occupations Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
- Office and Administrative Support Occupations Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
- Sales and Related Occupations Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
- Educational Instruction and Library Occupations Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
- Management Occupations Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
- Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
- Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
- Transportation and Material Moving Occupations Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
- Business and Financial Operations Occupations Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
- Browse All Jobs in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA →
Semantic Salary Analysis for Security Guards • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA