U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / Smithsonian Institution / Security Guard

Job-title file

Security Guard

Carry out the duties of this position in support of the agency's public mission.

650 employees hold this title in Smithsonian Institution. Median total compensation for the role is $62,070, below the department median of $91,039.

Employees: 650
Total payroll: $40M
Role median: $62,070
Agency median: $91,039
Comparison: Below

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$45,146$81,095+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 650 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compared with the local labor market

Security Guard pay vs. the United States

Across all employers in the United States, the median wage for Security Guards — about 1,283,470 people — is $38,020. Smithsonian Institution pays a median base salary of $62,070 for this role, 63% above that figure — above the 90th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Smithsonian Institution sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$30,210

$35,210

$38,020

$46,200

$58,840

Smithsonian Institution median · $62,070

The bar is the range of annual wages for Security Guards across every employer in the United States, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Smithsonian Institution’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Computed over the 649 of 650 people in this role paid at least $25,000in base salary. The rest are part-year or part-time records, whose actual pay isn’t comparable to a full-time annual wage.

Median total compensation for this role at Smithsonian Institution is $62,070, which includes overtime and employer-paid benefits. The benchmark above excludes both, so total compensation is deliberately not compared against it.

Benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) covers all employers in the area — private, non-profit, and government alike — so this is a comparison against the whole local labor market for the occupation, not against private-sector pay. OEWS wages are straight-time pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials, and employer-paid benefits, so the government figure shown here is base pay on the same basis. Total compensation is not comparable to it. Job titles are matched to the closest standard occupation, so the comparison is between similar work rather than an identical job classification.

Compare departments

This role across U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)

Security Guard is held in 7 U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) departments. In Smithsonian Institution, the median of $62,070 ranks #1 of 7.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Inter Bound and Water Community U.S. Section

$53,928 · 21

Department of Transportation

$52,169 · 4

Armed Forces Retirement Home

$51,164 · 35

Department of Interior

$50,659 · 177

Department of Health and Human Services

$43,445 · 285

Department of Veterans Affairs

$41,117 · 5

Median total compensation for the Security Guard role in other U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)departments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Compare jurisdictions

Security Guard beyond U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)

This role is reported in 15 jurisdictions. In U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense), the median of $54,181 ranks #3 of 15. See Security Guard across all of U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) →

Highest-paying jurisdictions for this role

New York Public Authorities

$79,544 · 103

$63,800 · 6

$41,183 · 91

$40,000 · 5

$39,171 · 120

$38,364 · 345

$36,264 · 51

City of Springfield, MA

$30,835 · 39

Median total compensation for comparable Security Guardroles in other jurisdictions. Titles are matched by normalized name across sources, not identical job classification, and pay is not cost-of-living adjusted. Each bar links to that jurisdiction’s page for the role.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Jeroboam Powell

Security Guard/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$119,622

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $119,037
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $585
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $119,622
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $119,037
Basic Pay (before locality): $89,327
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 42
Occupation Code (OPM): 0085
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jeroboam Powell is a Security Guard at Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $119,622. They are classified at grade 12.

Quellan Josey

Security Guard/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$119,037

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $119,037
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $119,037
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $119,037
Basic Pay (before locality): $89,327
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 35
Occupation Code (OPM): 0085
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Quellan Josey is a Security Guard at Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $119,037. They are classified at grade 12.

David Lee

Security Guard/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$98,218

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $97,925
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $293
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,218
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $97,925
Basic Pay (before locality): $73,484
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 27
Occupation Code (OPM): 0085
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

David Lee is a Security Guard at Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $98,218. They are classified at grade 10.

Timothy Fortt

Security Guard/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$98,218

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $97,925
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $293
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,218
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $97,925
Basic Pay (before locality): $73,484
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 29
Occupation Code (OPM): 0085
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Timothy Fortt is a Security Guard at Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $98,218. They are classified at grade 10.

Patrick Newman

Security Guard/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$88,926

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $88,926
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $88,926
Pay grade: 07
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $88,926
Basic Pay (before locality): $66,731
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 30
Occupation Code (OPM): 0085
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Patrick Newman works as a Security Guard for Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. Patrick earned $88,926 in 2024. Their pay grade is 07.

Kevin Charles

Security Guard/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$82,915

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $82,915
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,915
Pay grade: 08
Work city: New York - New York
Work county: New York
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $82,915
Basic Pay (before locality): $60,416
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 364170061
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 0085
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kevin Charles holds the role of Security Guard at Smithsonian Institution based in New York - New York, New York. In 2024, their total compensation was $82,915. Their pay grade is 08.

Ervin Hargett

Security Guard/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$82,915

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $82,915
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,915
Pay grade: 08
Work city: New York - New York
Work county: New York
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $82,915
Basic Pay (before locality): $60,416
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 364170061
Length of Service (Years): 35
Occupation Code (OPM): 0085
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Ervin Hargett holds the role of Security Guard at Smithsonian Institution based in New York - New York, New York. In 2024, their total compensation was $82,915. Their pay grade is 08.

Andre Mann

Security Guard/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$82,915

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $82,915
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,915
Pay grade: 08
Work city: New York - New York
Work county: New York
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $82,915
Basic Pay (before locality): $60,416
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 364170061
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 0085
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Andre Mann works as a Security Guard for Smithsonian Institution based in New York - New York, New York. Andre earned $82,915 in 2024. Their pay grade is 08.

Thomas Gorman

Security Guard/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$82,085

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $82,085
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,085
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $82,085
Basic Pay (before locality): $61,598
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 0085
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Thomas Gorman works as a Security Guard for Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. Thomas earned $82,085 in 2024. Their pay grade is 09.

Peter Bowen

Security Guard/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$81,289

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $80,789
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $81,289
Pay grade: 08
Work city: New York - New York
Work county: New York
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $80,789
Basic Pay (before locality): $58,867
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 364170061
Length of Service (Years): 21
Occupation Code (OPM): 0085
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Peter Bowen holds the role of Security Guard at Smithsonian Institution based in New York - New York, New York. In 2024, their total compensation was $81,289. Their pay grade is 08.

Theodore Ellis

Security Guard/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$81,110

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $80,510
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $600
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $81,110
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $80,510
Basic Pay (before locality): $60,416
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 24
Occupation Code (OPM): 0085
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Theodore Ellis is a Security Guard at Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $81,110. They are classified at grade 08.

Vernon Morton

Security Guard/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$81,095

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $80,510
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $585
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $81,095
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $80,510
Basic Pay (before locality): $60,416
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 21
Occupation Code (OPM): 0085
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Vernon Morton holds the role of Security Guard at Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $81,095. Their pay grade is 08.

Gerald Walker

Security Guard/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$81,095

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $80,510
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $585
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $81,095
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $80,510
Basic Pay (before locality): $60,416
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 31
Occupation Code (OPM): 0085
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Smithsonian Institution, Gerald Walker serves as a Security Guard based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $81,095. They are classified at grade 08.

David Weston

Security Guard/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$81,095

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $80,510
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $585
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $81,095
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $80,510
Basic Pay (before locality): $60,416
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 29
Occupation Code (OPM): 0085
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

David Weston is a Security Guard at Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $81,095. They are classified at grade 08.

Thomas Wynn

Security Guard/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$81,010

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $80,510
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $81,010
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $80,510
Basic Pay (before locality): $60,416
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 35
Occupation Code (OPM): 0085
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Smithsonian Institution, Thomas Wynn serves as a Security Guard based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $81,010. They are classified at grade 08.

Rahsaan Ellis

Security Guard/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$80,510

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $80,510
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $80,510
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $80,510
Basic Pay (before locality): $60,416
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 0085
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Rahsaan Ellis is a Security Guard at Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $80,510. They are classified at grade 08.

Wesley Branon

Security Guard/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$80,510

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $80,510
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $80,510
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $80,510
Basic Pay (before locality): $60,416
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 21
Occupation Code (OPM): 0085
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Wesley Branon holds the role of Security Guard at Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $80,510. Their pay grade is 08.

Phillip Arnett

Security Guard/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$80,510

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $80,510
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $80,510
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $80,510
Basic Pay (before locality): $60,416
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 28
Occupation Code (OPM): 0085
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Smithsonian Institution, Phillip Arnett serves as a Security Guard based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $80,510. They are classified at grade 08.

Alonzo Fountain

Security Guard/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$80,510

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $80,510
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $80,510
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $80,510
Basic Pay (before locality): $60,416
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 24
Occupation Code (OPM): 0085
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Alonzo Fountain holds the role of Security Guard at Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $80,510. Their pay grade is 08.

Dennis Hill

Security Guard/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$80,510

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $80,510
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $80,510
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $80,510
Basic Pay (before locality): $60,416
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 26
Occupation Code (OPM): 0085
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Dennis Hill is a Security Guard at Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $80,510. They are classified at grade 08.

Sheila Wright

Security Guard/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$80,510

Sub-department: National Gallery of Art
Base pay: $80,510
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $80,510
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $80,510
Basic Pay (before locality): $60,416
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 42
Occupation Code (OPM): 0085
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sheila Wright holds the role of Security Guard at Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $80,510. Their pay grade is 08.

Steven Burke

Security Guard/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$80,510

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $80,510
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $80,510
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $80,510
Basic Pay (before locality): $60,416
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 37
Occupation Code (OPM): 0085
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Smithsonian Institution, Steven Burke serves as a Security Guard based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $80,510. They are classified at grade 08.

Eric Chapman

Security Guard/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$80,510

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $80,510
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $80,510
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $80,510
Basic Pay (before locality): $60,416
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 29
Occupation Code (OPM): 0085
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Smithsonian Institution, Eric Chapman serves as a Security Guard based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $80,510. They are classified at grade 08.

Stella Johnson

Security Guard/Smithsonian Institution

2024 total comp

$80,510

Sub-department: Smithsonian Inst (Exc Sep Brds of Trust)
Base pay: $80,510
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $80,510
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $80,510
Basic Pay (before locality): $60,416
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 26
Occupation Code (OPM): 0085
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Stella Johnson works as a Security Guard for Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, District of Columbia. Stella earned $80,510 in 2024. Their pay grade is 08.