Security Guard salary in Alabama
Security Guards in Alabama earn a median of $33,720 a year ($16.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 15,210 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,640 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $38,020. Alabama ranks 48th of 51 states for security guards pay. There are 7.2 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $34,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,110 | $11.11 |
| 25th percentile | $28,060 | $13.49 |
| Median | $33,720 | $16.21 |
| 75th percentile | $37,420 | $17.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,640 | $21.94 |
| Average (mean) | $34,680 | $16.67 |
Half of security guards 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 | $2,810 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,405 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,296.92 |
| Weekly | $648.46 |
| Hourly | $16.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Security Guard salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Decatur, AL | $38,500 | 450 |
| Huntsville, AL | $36,210 | 1,600 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $34,840 | 320 |
| Birmingham, AL | $33,820 | 5,660 |
| Mobile, AL | $33,630 | 1,170 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $31,590 | 530 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $31,240 | 750 |
| Montgomery, AL | $31,000 | 1,520 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $30,760 | 290 |
| Dothan, AL | $30,720 | 650 |
| Gadsden, AL | $30,040 | 110 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $29,720 | 1,150 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $29,400 | 180 |
Highest-paying states for security guards
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $64,210 |
| Alaska | $47,480 |
| Washington | $47,100 |
| Vermont | $45,550 |
| Oregon | $45,500 |
| New Hampshire | $45,200 |
| Colorado | $45,150 |
| Massachusetts | $44,670 |
| New York | $44,240 |
| Virginia | $43,640 |
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,130 | $13.52 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $46,810 | $22.50 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $86,350 | $41.51 |
| Animal Control Worker | $37,340 | $17.95 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $29,190 | $14.03 |
| School Bus Monitor | $28,210 | $13.56 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $36,970 | $17.78 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $51,270 | $24.65 |
| Firefighter | $47,600 | $22.89 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $46,660 | $22.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $75,970 | $36.53 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $73,320 | $35.25 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $66,290 | $31.87 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-9032. 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 guard make in Alabama?
The median salary for security guards in Alabama is $33,720 a year, or $16.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Alabama?
The top 10% of security guards in Alabama earn at least $45,640 a year. The top 25% earn $37,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,110 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $28,060 or less.
How many security guards work in Alabama?
About 15,210 security guards are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.