Security Guard in Raleigh, NC

The Salary Picture: Where Raleigh Stands

Let’s cut straight to the numbers. If you’re looking at security work in the Raleigh area, you need to know what the market actually pays. The data here is pulled from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and local job market analyses for the Raleigh-Cary metro area.

The median salary for a Security Guard in Raleigh is $35,923/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $17.27/hour. It’s important to understand what "median" means here—it’s the middle point of all earners. Half of the security guards in the area make less, and half make more. Compared to the national average for the occupation of $36,140/year, Raleigh sits just a hair below, but the cost of living here is a critical factor we’ll break down later.

In terms of sheer opportunity, the Raleigh-Cary metro area supports 964 jobs for Security Guards. That’s a solid, stable number for a mid-sized city. However, the 10-year job growth projection is only 3%, which is slow. This isn’t a field with explosive growth; it’s a steady, reliable service industry. For you, this means competition exists, but positions are consistently available as people cycle in and out of the field.

To give you a clearer picture of your earning potential based on your experience level, here’s a breakdown:

Experience Level	Typical Raleigh Salary (Annual)	Notes
Entry-Level	$28,000 - $32,000	Most common starting point. Often involves basic patrol, access control in office parks or retail.
Mid-Level	$35,000 - $40,000	This is the median range. You might have some specialty training, work in healthcare or education, or supervise a small post.
Senior/Lead	$40,000 - $48,000	Often requires supervisory experience, armed certification, or post management. Common in corporate campuses or government contracts.
Expert/Specialized	$48,000+	Think executive protection, critical infrastructure (like RTP labs or data centers), or management roles. Requires significant certifications and experience.

How does Raleigh stack up against other North Carolina cities? It’s a mixed bag. You’ll generally earn more in Raleigh than in Charlotte or Greensboro, primarily due to a higher concentration of corporate and tech employers who pay for premium security services. However, the cost of living is also higher. For example, a security guard in a smaller city like Wilmington or Asheville might see a slightly lower wage, but rent and daily expenses can be more manageable. Raleigh’s position is strong for career growth if you aim for the corporate or healthcare security sector.

Insider Tip: Don’t just look at the base salary. Many security jobs in Raleigh come with shift differentials (extra pay for nights, weekends, holidays) and benefits packages. A position at a hospital like WakeMed or UNC REX might offer better health insurance and paid time off compared to a retail post, even if the hourly rate looks similar on paper. Always calculate your total compensation.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s be brutally honest about what a $35,923 annual salary means for your daily life in Raleigh. This is the median, so it’s the best benchmark for a typical experience.

First, the take-home pay. After federal, state, and FICA taxes, a single filer with no dependents can expect to take home approximately $27,500 - $28,500 annually, or about $2,300 - $2,375 per month. This is an estimate; your actual take-home will vary based on your tax situation, deductions for health insurance, and retirement contributions (if any).

Now, let’s look at the rent. The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Raleigh is $1,466/month. This is a citywide average. In popular or newly developed neighborhoods, you’ll easily find rates from $1,600 to over $1,800. In older, less trendy areas, you might find something closer to $1,300, but it’s increasingly rare.

Monthly Budget Breakdown for a Security Guard Earning the Median ($35,923/year):

• Monthly Take-Home Pay: ~$2,325
• Average 1BR Rent: -$1,466
• Remaining for Utilities, Food, Transport, Insurance, Savings: $859

This leaves you with about $859 per month for all other living expenses. Let’s allocate that:

• Utilities (Electric, Water, Internet, Phone): ~$200
• Groceries: ~$300
• Car Payment/Insurance/Gas: ~$300 (Raleigh is car-dependent)
• Health Insurance (if not covered by employer): Variable, but let's say $0 for this exercise if on an employer plan.
• Savings/Debt Repayment/Entertainment: ~$59

This budget is extremely tight. It leaves little room for error, savings, or fun. The Cost of Living Index for Raleigh is 98.0 (where the US average is 100), meaning it’s slightly below the national average. However, the housing market has outpaced this, making rent the single biggest challenge for someone on a security guard’s salary.

Can they afford to buy a home? On a $35,923 salary, qualifying for a mortgage is highly unlikely. Lenders typically want your total monthly housing debt to be no more than 28-30% of your gross income. For you, that’s about $840/month—barely enough for a mortgage on a modest home in this market, and that’s before property taxes, insurance, and maintenance. Homeownership is generally out of reach for a single-income household at the median security guard wage in Raleigh. Dual-income households or significant career advancement are the primary paths to homeownership here.

Insider Tip: If you’re moving here alone, consider a roommate situation. Sharing a 2BR apartment can cut your housing cost to around $800-$950/month, freeing up significant cash flow and making the budget much more comfortable.

Where the Jobs Are: Raleigh's Major Employers

Raleigh’s security job market is diverse but dominated by a few key sectors. Knowing where to look can save you months of searching.

1. Corporate Campuses (Research Triangle Park & Downtown): This is the big one. Companies like Cisco, IBM, Fidelity Investments, and Bank of America have massive campuses in RTP and downtown Raleigh. They hire in-house security teams and contract with large firms like Allied Universal or Securitas. The jobs are often for access control, lobby reception, and patrols. Hiring is steady, especially for IT-focused facilities needing 24/7 coverage.
2. Healthcare Systems: Both WakeMed Health & Hospitals and UNC REX Healthcare (part of UNC Health) are major employers. Security here is unique—you’re dealing with patients, visitors, and high-value medical equipment. These positions often require de-escalation training and can be more demanding but also offer better benefits and pay. Duke University Hospital in Durham is also a huge employer, though just outside Raleigh proper.
3. Higher Education: North Carolina State University (NC State) is a massive employer. University security involves campus patrols, event security for sports and concerts, and protecting research facilities. It’s a public university, so positions may have state benefits and retirement packages.
4. Government & Critical Infrastructure: The NC State Capitol Police and Raleigh Police Department (for civilians in security roles) hire for various positions. Also, think of the Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) and its contractors. These jobs are often stable but may require stricter background checks and ongoing training.
5. Retail & Commercial Property Management: Downtown Raleigh and Crabtree Valley Mall have numerous contracted security jobs. Companies like JLL or CBRE manage large office buildings and hire security for lobbies, parking decks, and after-hours patrols.

Hiring Trends: There’s a slow but clear shift toward technology-integrated security. Employers increasingly value guards who are comfortable with digital reporting systems, basic CCTV monitoring, and even some IT awareness. The demand is for reliable, professional guards who can handle customer-service-oriented roles, not just surveillance.

Insider Tip: Check the careers pages of the major employers directly (e.g., "WakeMed Careers" or "NC State Jobs") in addition to Indeed and LinkedIn. Many contract security jobs are posted by the security companies themselves (Allied, Securitas, etc.), but direct-hire positions with the institutions often offer better long-term prospects.

Getting Licensed in NC

North Carolina has straightforward but mandatory licensing for security guards. You cannot legally work without it. The process is managed by the North Carolina Private Protective Services (NC-PPS) Board.

State-Specific Requirements:

1. Age & Background: You must be at least 18 years old and free of any felony convictions. Some misdemeanors (especially those involving violence, dishonesty, or drugs) can disqualify you. A clean driving record is also essential for many jobs.
2. Training: You must complete a 16-hour basic training course from a state-approved school. This covers legal powers, use of force, ethics, and emergency procedures. The course typically costs $100 - $200.
3. Application: After training, you submit an application to the NC-PPS Board with proof of training, a fingerprint card, and a fee. The application fee is $100.
4. Processing: The Board conducts a background check. Processing times vary but typically take 4-6 weeks.

Timeline to Get Started: From start to finish, you’re looking at about 6-8 weeks to be fully licensed and ready to work. You can start applying for jobs while your application is processing, but you cannot be hired as a guard until you have your license number in hand.

Armed Guard License: If you want to carry a firearm, the requirements are stricter. You need 16 additional hours of training specifically on firearms and use of force, plus an additional $75 application fee. The total cost for armed licensing is closer to $300 - $400. Armed positions are fewer but pay significantly more, often starting at $20-$25/hour or more.

Insider Tip: Don’t wait to find a job to start the licensing process. Sign up for a training course immediately. Having your license ready makes you a far more attractive candidate. Many employers will reimburse your training fees after a certain period of employment—ask about this during interviews.

Best Neighborhoods for Security Guards

Where you live will significantly impact your quality of life and commute. Here are 4-5 neighborhoods that offer a good balance for someone earning the median wage.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Best For...
South Raleigh (near Garner)	Quiet, suburban, family-friendly. Easy access to I-40 and I-440. Commutes to downtown or RTP are 20-30 mins.	$1,250 - $1,400	Those who want more space, lower rent, and a relaxed environment. Good for targeting hospital jobs (WakeMed Main).
North Raleigh (near Brier Creek)	Upscale, well-maintained, close to RTP and RDU airport. Very competitive rent. Commute to downtown is 25 mins.	$1,500 - $1,700	Those working in RTP (Cisco, IBM). Great for families, but tight on a single income.
Downtown (incl. Warehouse District)	Vibrant, walkable, expensive. Many jobs are within walking or biking distance. Parking is a challenge and costly.	$1,600 - $1,900+	Those who work in corporate security downtown and value a social life. Requires careful budgeting.
Cary (Western Edge)	Extremely safe, clean, top-rated schools. Commute to RTP is very short (10-15 mins). Rent is high.	$1,500 - $1,650	Targeting security roles in Cary's corporate parks or RTP. Ideal for those valuing safety and community amenities.
Mordecai / Oakwood	Historic, charming, close to downtown. Mix of older apartments and houses. Rent is moderate.	$1,300 - $1,500	Those who want character and a short commute to downtown jobs without the price tag of new luxury apartments.

Insider Tip: Traffic in Raleigh can be brutal, especially on I-40 and I-440. If you work a 7am-3pm or 3pm-11pm shift, your commute can double. Prioritize living as close as possible to your job or along a direct transit route. Consider a neighborhood with bus access if you don’t have a reliable car.

The Long Game: Career Growth

A security guard job is often a starting point, not a destination. In Raleigh, you can strategically grow your career and income.

• Specialty Premiums: As mentioned, armed guards can earn $3-$8 more per hour. Executive protection roles, often based in RTP or serving tech executives, can pay $50,000+. Fire inspector certification (through the NC Fire Marshal’s office) can open doors to corporate safety roles. Crisis management/de-escalation training is increasingly valuable in healthcare and education.
• Advancement Paths:
  1. From Guard to Supervisor: Demonstrating reliability, leadership, and problem-solving can lead to a lead guard or supervisor role within 1-2 years, bumping you into the $40k-$48k range.
  2. Operations Manager: With 5+ years of experience, you can move into managing a portfolio of posts for a contract security company. This is a desk job with a salary around $55k-$70k.
  3. Corporate Security Specialist: Transitioning from a contractor to an in-house role at a large company like Red Hat or SAS Institute. These roles focus on policy, risk assessment, and project management, with salaries from $55k to $80k+.
  4. Law Enforcement: Many security guards use the role as a stepping stone to local police departments (Raleigh PD, Wake County Sheriff). The experience is highly valued, and the benefits and pension are superior.

10-Year Outlook (3% Growth): The slow growth rate means you must be proactive. Don't expect automatic promotions. Seek out training, network with supervisors, and be willing to switch employers for better opportunities. The demand will be for guards who are adaptable, tech-savvy, and possess strong soft skills. The rise of remote work has changed corporate security needs, with a focus on protecting empty offices and managing visitor access, which may create new specializations.

Insider Tip: The security community in Raleigh is tight-knit. Join local Facebook groups for security professionals or attend security conferences hosted at NC State. A personal recommendation from a fellow guard is often the fastest way to land a good job at a major employer.

The Verdict: Is Raleigh Right for You?

Raleigh is a fantastic city, but whether it’s right for you as a security guard depends on your goals, lifestyle, and financial situation.

Pros	Cons
Strong, diverse employer base (tech, healthcare, education) offering stable jobs.	Housing costs are high relative to the median security guard salary ($35,923).
Slightly below-average cost of living in non-housing categories.	Car dependency is a must; public transit is limited.
High quality of life: great food, greenways, cultural events, and sports.	Job growth is slow (3%); competition for better-paying roles is real.
Central location in NC, easy to access other cities like Charlotte or the coast.	Summers are hot and humid, which can make outdoor patrols uncomfortable.
Opportunity for career growth in specialized, higher-paying security niches.	Traffic congestion can significantly impact your commute and free time.

Final Recommendation:
Raleigh is a good fit for you if: You are a career-focused security guard willing to specialize (armed, executive protection, healthcare security) to boost your income. You are okay with a roommate or a strict budget. You value a vibrant, growing city with lots to do and see.

Raleigh might be a challenge if: You are a single-income household expecting a comfortable lifestyle on the median wage alone. You are not interested in obtaining additional training or licenses. You prioritize a very low cost of living above all else.

For the right person, starting a security career in Raleigh can be a rewarding step toward a stable, well-rounded life in the Research Triangle.

FAQs

1. Is the cost of living in Raleigh really manageable for a security guard?
It’s a tight fit on a single median salary ($35,923). You must budget carefully, especially for rent. Having a roommate or a dual-income household makes it much more feasible. The city’s amenities are accessible, but discretionary spending will be limited.

2. Should I get my North Carolina license before I move?
No, you must complete the state-approved training in North Carolina. You can’t transfer a license from another state. Plan for a 6-8 week period after arriving (or while in training) before you can legally work. Having your application ready to go is key.

3. Are there enough jobs with just a basic guard license?
Yes, the vast majority of the 964 jobs in the metro area require only the basic unarmed guard license. However, to move beyond the starting wage, you