Security Guard salary in Athens-Clarke County, GA
Security Guards in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn a median of $33,910 a year ($16.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 560 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,690 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 3% lower than the Georgia statewide median of $34,980. There are 5.9 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $37,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,950 | $15.36 |
| 25th percentile | $31,950 | $15.36 |
| Median | $33,910 | $16.30 |
| 75th percentile | $41,790 | $20.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,690 | $24.37 |
| Average (mean) | $37,940 | $18.24 |
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 | $2,825.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,412.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,304.23 |
| Weekly | $652.12 |
| Hourly | $16.30 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Hinesville, GA | $48,780 | 120 |
| Dalton, GA | $37,820 | 130 |
| Rome, GA | $36,430 | 140 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $35,650 | 1,820 |
| Gainesville, GA | $35,360 | 380 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $35,150 | 22,730 |
| Savannah, GA | $34,810 | 1,880 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $34,530 | 190 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $33,940 | 460 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $33,620 | 260 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $33,450 | 3,370 |
| Valdosta, GA | $32,810 | 130 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $29,720 | 1,150 |
| Albany, GA | $29,700 | 770 |
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 Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| School Bus Monitor | $35,520 | $17.08 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $26,000 | $12.50 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,010 | $16.83 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $60,710 | $29.19 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $58,850 | $28.29 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $47,900 | $23.03 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $81,530 | $39.20 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Athens-Clarke County, GA
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 Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The median salary for security guards in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area is $33,910 a year, or $16.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The top 10% of security guards in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn at least $50,690 a year. The top 25% earn $41,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,950 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $31,950 or less.
How many security guards work in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
About 560 security guards are employed in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.