Federal Reserve Security Guards are essential personnel responsible for protecting the nation’s central banking facilities, personnel, and assets. Their duties include monitoring Federal Reserve banks, safeguarding sensitive financial information, controlling access points, and responding to emergencies.
In 2025, the US government adjusted salary structures for Federal Reserve Security Guards to attract qualified personnel, reflect cost-of-living variations, and improve retention. These updates ensure that security guards are competitively compensated compared to other federal security and law enforcement roles.
This guide provides an in-depth look at Federal Reserve Security Guard salaries across different locations, including base pay, locality adjustments, overtime, benefits, and career progression. It also addresses common questions about the role.
Federal Reserve Security Guard Salary Overview (2025)
Salary depends on several factors:
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Federal pay grade (GS level or equivalent)
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Duty location and locality pay
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Years of experience and step increases
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Shift work, overtime, and hazard pay
Summary Table: Federal Reserve Security Guard Salary by Location (2025)
| Location | Monthly Base Salary (USD) | Locality Pay (%) | Estimated Total Monthly Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $3,800 – $5,200 | 33% | $5,054 – $6,916 |
| Washington, D.C. | $3,700 – $5,000 | 32.5% | $4,905 – $6,625 |
| San Francisco, CA | $3,900 – $5,300 | 42% | $5,538 – $7,526 |
| Chicago, IL | $3,500 – $4,800 | 26% | $4,410 – $6,048 |
| Dallas, TX | $3,400 – $4,700 | 18% | $4,012 – $5,546 |
| Atlanta, GA | $3,300 – $4,600 | 21% | $3,993 – $5,566 |
| Kansas City, MO | $3,200 – $4,500 | 15% | $3,680 – $5,175 |
| Other Locations | $3,100 – $4,400 | 15% | $3,565 – $5,060 |
Figures reflect 2025 projections based on federal base pay plus locality adjustments.
How the Federal Reserve Security Guard Salary Structure Works (2025)
1. Federal Pay Scale System
Federal Reserve Security Guards are classified as federal employees under a general pay system, often equivalent to GS-5 to GS-7 for entry-level positions, with higher grades for supervisory roles.
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Step increases provide incremental raises based on experience and performance.
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Senior guards or supervisors may reach GS-8 to GS-10 equivalents, earning significantly higher monthly pay.
2. Locality Pay Adjustments
Pay varies by region due to cost-of-living differences:
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High-cost metropolitan areas such as New York, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. receive higher locality pay (up to 42%).
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Mid-cost cities, including Chicago and Atlanta, receive locality pay of 20–26%.
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Low-cost regions have a 15% adjustment.
3. Overtime and Shift Differentials
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Guards often work rotating shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays.
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Overtime is compensated at 1.5x the regular hourly rate, which can significantly increase monthly earnings.
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Shift differentials apply for night shifts or high-risk assignments.
4. Hazard Pay
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Hazard pay is provided for high-risk security duties, such as responding to emergencies or securing high-value assets.
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Typically, hazard pay adds 10–25% to base earnings depending on assignment.
5. Promotions and Career Advancement
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Entry-level guards can advance to senior guard positions or supervisory roles.
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Supervisors may manage entire security teams, coordinate emergency responses, and liaise with law enforcement agencies.
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Specialized roles in cybersecurity protection, armored transport security, or critical asset monitoring offer additional pay and career growth.
Federal Reserve Security Guard Salary by State and City (2025)
High-Cost Areas
| City | Base Salary | Locality Pay | Total Monthly Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $3,800 – $5,200 | 33% | $5,054 – $6,916 |
| San Francisco, CA | $3,900 – $5,300 | 42% | $5,538 – $7,526 |
| Washington, D.C. | $3,700 – $5,000 | 32.5% | $4,905 – $6,625 |
Mid-Cost Areas
| City | Base Salary | Locality Pay | Total Monthly Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | $3,500 – $4,800 | 26% | $4,410 – $6,048 |
| Dallas, TX | $3,400 – $4,700 | 18% | $4,012 – $5,546 |
| Atlanta, GA | $3,300 – $4,600 | 21% | $3,993 – $5,566 |
Low-Cost Areas
| City | Base Salary | Locality Pay | Total Monthly Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO | $3,200 – $4,500 | 15% | $3,680 – $5,175 |
| Other Locations | $3,100 – $4,400 | 15% | $3,565 – $5,060 |
Benefits and Allowances for Federal Reserve Security Guards (2025)
Key Benefits
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Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage via FEHB
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Retirement Plans: FERS pension, Social Security, and TSP contributions
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Life Insurance: FEGLI coverage options
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Paid Leave: 13–26 days of annual leave plus 13 sick days
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Holidays: 11 federal holidays annually
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Training and Professional Development: Access to specialized security and law enforcement certifications
Key Allowances
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Overtime Pay: For extra shifts and holiday work
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Shift Differential Pay: For night and weekend shifts
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Hazard Pay: For high-risk security assignments
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Travel Per Diem: For temporary duty or assignments outside the duty station
Comparison with Other Federal Security Positions
| Position | Average Monthly Pay | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Reserve Security Guard | $3,500 – $7,500 | Competitive federal benefits, career growth, nationwide positions |
| TSA Officer | $3,500 – $5,500 | Federal benefits, lower base pay, airport-focused duties |
| Secret Service Uniformed Division | $4,500 – $8,000 | Higher pay, specialized training, high-risk assignments |
| US Mint Security Guard | $3,400 – $6,000 | Similar duties, localized operations, federal benefits |
Factors Influencing Salary in 2025
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Base Grade Level (entry vs. senior)
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Years of Experience and Step Increases
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Duty Location and Locality Pay
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Shift Type, Overtime, and Night Differential
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Special Assignments and Hazard Pay
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Recruitment and Retention Incentives
Career Progression for Federal Reserve Security Guards
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Entry-Level Guard: Monitors facilities, controls access, and responds to incidents
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Senior Guard: Mentors junior staff, coordinates shifts, and manages minor incidents
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Supervisor/Team Leader: Oversees entire security teams, liaises with law enforcement, coordinates emergency response
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Specialized Roles: Armored transport security, cyber-asset monitoring, and high-value asset protection
FAQs — Federal Reserve Security Guard Salary (2025)
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What is the starting monthly salary?
$3,100 – $3,800 depending on location and base grade. -
Do guards receive locality pay?
Yes, ranging from 15% to 42% depending on city. -
Are benefits included?
Yes, including health, retirement, paid leave, and training. -
Do guards earn overtime?
Yes, at 1.5x the hourly rate for extra shifts. -
Are there hazard pay bonuses?
Yes, for high-risk assignments, typically 10–25% of base pay. -
Can guards transfer locations?
Yes, subject to vacancies and approval. -
Do guards retire with a pension?
Yes, under FERS with Social Security and TSP contributions. -
How long to reach supervisory roles?
Typically 5–10 years depending on performance and experience. -
Are part-time positions available?
Rare, most positions are full-time federal roles. -
Is training provided?
Yes, all guards receive federal security training and emergency response preparation.
Conclusion
In 2025, Federal Reserve Security Guards earn competitive monthly salaries with locality adjustments, overtime, and hazard pay. Coupled with comprehensive federal benefits, career progression, and job stability, this role is highly attractive for those seeking a federal security career with nationwide impact.
The combination of stable pay, strong benefits, and specialized duties makes Federal Reserve Security Guard positions a prominent and respected choice in the US federal workforce.