How Much Do Bodyguards Get Paid Across the U.S.?

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Working as a personal bodyguard can be an exciting, lucrative career, but how much you earn depends on where you work, what you do, and who you work for.

Whether you’re entering a close protection career or thinking about relocation, here’s what bodyguards earn in every U.S. state and how to maximize your salary.

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How Much Do Bodyguards Get Paid in the US?

According to ZipRecruiter, the average bodyguard in the United States earns $86,331 annually as of December 2025. Pay rates range $16,500 to $176,000 per year.

ZipRecruiter calculates salary estimates by analyzing millions of active job postings published across the U.S., combined with third-party salary data sources. These figures represent what employers are currently offering for bodyguard positions as of December 2025.

What Factors Determine a Bodyguard’s Salary?

There are many reasons driving the range in bodyguard salaries. Years of experience, skill set, location, client, and risk level are the most significant factors that determine how much a bodyguard is paid.

Years of Experience

As in all careers, experience level helps to determine how much you’re worth. Here’s what you can expect to earn, whether you’re just starting or decades into your career:

Entry-level guards earn an average of $30,000 to $45,000 per year.
Mid-career guards with 5+ years of experience typically earn $60,000 to $90,000 per year.
Senior-level guards and celebrity bodyguards can earn anywhere from $100,000 to $200,000.
Freelance or independent contractors can make anywhere from $25 to $150 per hour, though the work may not be full time.

Bodyguards are required to have particular skills, and the most skilled bodyguards are usually the highest earners. The longer you work in the security industry, the more opportunities you’ll have to develop your skills.

Skill Set

You can command a higher salary if you have additional skills beyond the standard security guard certification.

Bodyguards who have military or law enforcement experience, firearms training, and/or first-aid training can earn significantly more than those without.

Client Type

Who you work for can make an enormous impact on how much you earn. While the average bodyguard in the U.S. earns under $90,000, bodyguards who protect celebrities and other high-profile, high-net-worth individuals can earn far more. Salaries for VIP clients range from $100,000 to $200,000 or more — and, depending on other factors, can go even higher.

Location

Where you work has a direct impact on your salary. Major cities typically pay more due to higher costs of living in urban areas, but high-demand cities in more rural parts of the country also pay top dollar.

Risk Level

You can command a higher salary as a close protection agent if you’re needed to work internationally, in hostile environments, or in remote locations that require special skills.

Working in executive protection services for political and government figures will also allow you to earn more because it’s high risk. The higher the risk, the more the client is likely to pay for protective services.

Learn More: Executive Protection Security Services: Your Complete Guide

Top 10 Cities with the Highest Bodyguard Salaries (2026)

In 2025, Green River, Wyoming, topped the list of highest-paying cities, with bodyguards in the region earning an average annual salary of $103,472.

Why Wyoming, you ask?

While Wyoming’s statewide average salary ranks 24th nationally at $82,905, Green River’s concentration of high-net-worth residents drives significantly higher pay in this specific area. Many celebrities have homes in the Cowboy State, including household names like Harrison Ford, Sandra Bullock, and Matthew McConaughey.

Wyoming has its fair share of billionaires living in the region, too, including Walmart heiress Christy Walton and John Mars of the Mars, Inc. candy company. It also happens to be home to major corporations in the oil, gas, and mining industries, with corporate executives who require personal security guard protection.

Beyond high-paying Green River, the nine U.S. cities rounding out the top ten list for highest salaries are in California, where annual salaries range from $96,000 to $99,500.

Listed from highest to lowest:

San Mateo ($99,500)
San Francisco ($99,300)
Sunnyvale ($98,400)
Santa Clara ($98,000)
Fremont ($97,700)
Daly City ($96,900)
Berkeley ($96,400)
San Jose ($96,300)
Santa Rosa ($96,100)

Note that these metro-area salaries are significantly higher than California’s statewide average of $84,538, which includes lower-paying rural and suburban regions.

Average Bodyguard Salary in Every US State

In the U.S., bodyguards in the highest-paying state earn an average annual salary of $94,383, while they average only $66,755 in the lowest-paying state.

Here’s a look at the average bodyguard salary in every U.S. state, ranked from highest paying to lowest paying.*

New York: $94,383
Washington: $92,690
Massachusetts: $92,614
Washington, D.C.: $92,549
Hawaii: $91,426
Nevada: $91,278
New Hampshire: $87,237
Tennessee: $87,138
Alaska: $86,928
Connecticut: $86,642
Rhode Island: $86,250
Oregon: $86,107
Maryland: $86,050
Idaho: $85,764
Vermont: $85,467
California: $84,538
North Dakota: $84,362
South Dakota: $84,362
New Jersey: $84,359
Virginia: $83,959
Minnesota: $83,881
Arizona: $83,817
Missouri: $83,208
Wyoming: $82,905
Colorado: $81,266
Delaware $81,080
Nebraska: $81,048
Indiana: $80,929
Kentucky: $80,569
Maine: $80,519
Montana: $80,045
South Carolina: $79,667
West Virginia: $79,569
Ohio: $78,917
Wisconsin: $78,831
Iowa: $78,554
Utah: $77,890
Pennsylvania: $77,677
Oklahoma: $77,444
Arkansas: $76,827
Kansas: $76,226
Texas: $75,922
Michigan: $75,813
Illinois: $75,753
Mississippi: $74,757
New Mexico: $74,618
Alabama: $73,010
Florida: $68,771
Georgia: $67,170
Louisiana: $67,158
North Carolina: $66,755

*Data sourced from ZipRecruiter as of December 2025.

So, what drives these salary differences across the U.S.? Location plays the biggest role: states with major metropolitan areas, high concentrations of wealth, and strong corporate sectors typically offer higher pay.

For example, New York and Washington, D.C. benefit from high-profile executives, politicians, and entertainment-industry clients who require top-tier protection. States like California have both tech industry executives and entertainment celebrities.

Meanwhile, states with lower averages often have fewer high-net-worth individuals and corporate headquarters. But skill level and years of experience also significantly impact earnings, with salary ranges varying by as much as $72,000 for bodyguards in the same state, depending on their qualifications.

How Do Bodyguard Salaries Compare to Other Physical Security Roles?

If you’re considering different career paths within the security industry, here’s how bodyguard salaries stack up against related positions:

Protection Services: $118,044/year (+37% higher than average bodyguard salary)
Executive Protection Agent: $93,552/year (+8% higher)
International Protective Services: $75,300/year (-13% lower)
General Protective Services: $49,702/year (-42% lower)

Specializing in executive protection or expanding into comprehensive protection services can significantly boost your earning potential. These roles often require additional certifications and experience, but offer substantial salary increases.

How to Boost Your Salary as a Bodyguard

No matter what state you live or work in, there are several ways to boost your salary as a bodyguard, including what you know and who you know.

Acquire Additional Skills

Strengthening the skills you already have is a great way to increase your salary. But developing new skills can set you apart from the competition, making it easier to find higher-paying jobs that appreciate how valuable those skills are.

Consider taking additional training to build:

Firearms skills
Emergency medical skills
Multilingual skills
Martial arts/personal defense skills

Every skill you acquire not only improves client safety, but also provides peace of mind that you’re prepared to handle any situation that arises.

Specialize in Different Areas of Security

Every client has their own unique security needs. Developing specialized skills in cybersecurity, travel logistics, or residential/estate security can help you command a higher salary from clients seeking a bodyguard with that specific knowledge.

Take on Additional Roles

Another way to increase your salary as a bodyguard is to take on additional roles that you’re not already doing. For example, you can boost your annual income if you do double duty as the client’s driver, or if you provide personal bodyguard services for the client’s spouse or children.

Network with Other Security Professionals

Sometimes, it’s not just about what you know, it’s about who you know. Many bodyguard jobs never get posted online because clients get referrals through word of mouth.

To increase your chances of accessing higher-paying jobs, build your network and develop professional relationships within the security industry. In addition to helping you find new job opportunities, networking can help you develop your skill set, keep you informed of new and best practices, and learn new tips and tactics from fellow security professionals.

Move to a Metro Location

While the remote location of Green River, Wyoming, may pay their bodyguards top dollar, you’re more likely to find a higher-paying job in a large metropolitan area with a higher population. However, consider the cost of living when evaluating opportunities: a $100,000 salary in Green River goes much further than the same amount in San Francisco, where housing and living expenses are significantly higher.

If you prefer a more rural setting, look for areas with high-profile corporate headquarters in industries like oil and gas, technology, or healthcare. These locations often offer the best of both worlds: competitive salaries with lower living costs.

Remember, no matter where you work or where you move to, you’ll need to get your license to provide security services in that state or city. You’ll also need to maintain that license as required by the state licensing board.

You Might Like: Security Guard Training: How to Get Certified and Level Up Your Security Services Today

Seek Out More High-Profile Clients

Working in executive protection and providing close protection services to CEOs and high-profile execs can pay a top-tier salary. But if you can shift to providing personal protection for celebrities, you can potentially enjoy other perks.

In addition to their salaries, celebrity bodyguards often have access to:

First-class travel to international destinations and luxury resorts.
Entry to high-profile events like galas and premier sporting events.
Awards ceremonies and industry-only locations, such as recording studios and film sets.

Bodyguard Salary FAQs

How much do bodyguards make in the US?

The average salary for a bodyguard in the U.S. is $86,331 per year. The highest-paying states are New York, Washington, Massachusetts, and Washington, D.C., with salaries ranging from $92,000 to $95,000 per year. The lowest paying states are Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and North Carolina, where the annual salary range is $66,000 to $69,000.

Do bodyguards get benefits in addition to salary?

No matter your experience level, if you work as a full-time employee for a security company, you’ll get employee benefits like health insurance and paid vacation days. If you work as a freelance security contractor, you will not get employer-sponsored benefits.

Can bodyguards make more money working as independent contractors?

Yes, hourly rates for independent security contractors can be far higher than employee salaries, but contractors do not receive any employee benefits. As a contractor, you also won’t have taxes withheld from your pay, so you’ll have to set aside a portion of your earnings to pay federal, state, and local taxes.

Do bodyguards with special training earn more?

Bodyguards with special training in firearms earn more than unarmed guards. Guards with additional skills such as medical certifications, martial arts training, cyber security expertise, and transportation/logistics experience can also command higher rates.

What states offer the most bodyguard job opportunities?

Wyoming offers top pay due to the number of celebrities and billionaires that live in the state, but California has the most cities with the most opportunities.

What are typical work hours for bodyguards?

Bodyguards often work irregular hours that depend upon their client’s schedule. Those who provide executive protection might work standard business hours, but celebrity bodyguards and residential bodyguards often work evenings, weekends, and holidays. Some bodyguard roles require you to be on call 24/7, with long shifts that can last as long as 16 hours.

Be aware that some bodyguard contractors may specify a certain number of “standby” hours for when you must be available on short notice. Working for a security firm may offer a more predictable schedule, but independent contractors should expect to be flexible.

How much travel is required for bodyguard work?

This varies by client. Executive protection for corporate clients may require occasional travel, but celebrity bodyguards may need to travel frequently, both domestically and internationally, and sometimes on short notice. If your client is particularly high profile, you may be required to accompany them out of town for weeks or months at a time.

Is work/life balance difficult as a bodyguard?

Maintaining a healthy work/life balance can be challenging due to unpredictable or lengthy schedules and travel. However, some jobs may provide more predictability than others, such as executive protection or residential security.

Many bodyguards find the trade-off to be worth the salary and experience, but you should consider the lifestyle factors when determining if the role of bodyguard is the right fit for you.

Working as a bodyguard requires training, skill, focus, and situational awareness at all times. It’s not an easy job.

If you’re already in the business, build on your experience by taking specialized training programs that will help you command a higher salary. If you’re thinking about a career in security, consider obtaining “extra” certifications in first aid, firearms, or logistics at the start of your career to give yourself a leg up on the competition.

No matter where you work or who you work to protect, it’s the combination of skill, experience, and specialization that can put you on a path to earning a top-tier bodyguard salary.

Check out additional resources for security professionals at Security Explorer now.

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How Much Bodyguards Get Paid Across the U.S (2026 Update)

How Much Do Bodyguards Get Paid in the US?