Security Guard salary in Albuquerque, NM
Security Guards in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn a median of $44,780 a year ($21.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,440 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,340 for the top 10%. That is 18% higher than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 3% higher than the New Mexico statewide median of $43,320. There are 11 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $46,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Albuquerque, NM
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,880 | $14.85 |
| 25th percentile | $36,400 | $17.50 |
| Median | $44,780 | $21.53 |
| 75th percentile | $54,790 | $26.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,340 | $30.94 |
| Average (mean) | $46,640 | $22.42 |
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 | $3,731.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,865.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,722.31 |
| Weekly | $861.15 |
| Hourly | $21.53 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Security Guard salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | $40,980 | 630 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $37,010 | 650 |
| Farmington, NM | $36,820 | 500 |
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 |
See Security Guard pay in every state or the New Mexico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Albuquerque, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $31,460 | $15.12 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,240 | $13.58 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $55,370 | $26.62 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,810 | $30.68 |
| School Bus Monitor | $35,110 | $16.88 |
| Animal Control Worker | $43,250 | $20.79 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $41,680 | $20.04 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $73,380 | $35.28 |
| Firefighter | $42,420 | $20.40 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $47,480 | $22.83 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $85,290 | $41.01 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $57,720 | $27.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $60,720 | $29.19 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Albuquerque, NM
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 Albuquerque, NM?
The median salary for security guards in the Albuquerque, NM metro area is $44,780 a year, or $21.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Albuquerque, NM?
The top 10% of security guards in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn at least $64,340 a year. The top 25% earn $54,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Albuquerque, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,880 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $36,400 or less.
How many security guards work in Albuquerque, NM?
About 4,440 security guards are employed in the Albuquerque, NM metro area, not counting the self-employed.