Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers salary in California
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers in California earn a median of $71,570 a year ($34.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,180 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,710 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $60,070. California ranks 7th of 51 states for security and fire alarm systems installers pay. There are 0.45 security and fire alarm systems installers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $71,000, close to the median.
Pay range for security and fire alarm systems installers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,090 | $22.16 |
| 25th percentile | $57,180 | $27.49 |
| Median | $71,570 | $34.41 |
| 75th percentile | $79,760 | $38.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,710 | $47.46 |
| Average (mean) | $71,000 | $34.14 |
Half of security and fire alarm systems installers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,964.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,982.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,752.69 |
| Weekly | $1,376.35 |
| Hourly | $34.41 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $81,980 | 320 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $79,350 | 1,030 |
| Vallejo, CA | $76,390 | 70 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $71,570 | 2,960 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $70,830 | 570 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $70,380 | 540 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $66,080 | 30 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $64,550 | 980 |
| Salinas, CA | $63,980 | 40 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $63,670 | 110 |
| Modesto, CA | $62,230 | 140 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $62,210 | 70 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $61,120 | 150 |
| Fresno, CA | $60,950 | 190 |
| Redding, CA | $58,750 | 50 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $57,620 | 100 |
| Visalia, CA | $55,290 | 40 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $52,000 | 180 |
Highest-paying states for security and fire alarm systems installers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $79,870 |
| Massachusetts | $78,530 |
| Rhode Island | $76,320 |
| Oregon | $75,710 |
| Connecticut | $75,410 |
| Washington | $72,950 |
| California | $71,570 |
| Maryland | $65,330 |
| Maine | $64,080 |
| Iowa | $63,750 |
See Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
More: Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 49-2098. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security and fire alarm systems installers make in California?
The median salary for security and fire alarm systems installers in California is $71,570 a year, or $34.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security and fire alarm systems installers make in California?
The top 10% of security and fire alarm systems installers in California earn at least $98,710 a year. The top 25% earn $79,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for security and fire alarm systems installers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,090 a year, and a quarter of security and fire alarm systems installers earn $57,180 or less.
How many security and fire alarm systems installers work in California?
About 8,180 security and fire alarm systems installers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.