Security Guard salary in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
Security Guards in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area earn a median of $35,150 a year ($16.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 22,730 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,010 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is about the same as the Georgia statewide median of $34,980. There are 7.9 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,000 | $14.42 |
| 25th percentile | $33,090 | $15.91 |
| Median | $35,150 | $16.90 |
| 75th percentile | $39,330 | $18.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,010 | $23.08 |
| Average (mean) | $38,790 | $18.65 |
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 | $2,929.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,464.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,351.92 |
| Weekly | $675.96 |
| Hourly | $16.90 |
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 |
| Savannah, GA | $34,810 | 1,880 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $34,530 | 190 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $33,940 | 460 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $33,910 | 560 |
| 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 Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $31,860 | $15.32 |
| School Bus Monitor | $30,130 | $14.48 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $66,770 | $32.10 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $34,990 | $16.82 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $45,080 | $21.68 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $45,950 | $22.09 |
| Animal Control Worker | $42,840 | $20.60 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $60,910 | $29.29 |
| Firefighter | $47,300 | $22.74 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $81,860 | $39.35 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $69,900 | $33.61 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $49,380 | $23.74 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $76,490 | $36.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $49,230 | $23.67 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, 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 Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA?
The median salary for security guards in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area is $35,150 a year, or $16.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA?
The top 10% of security guards in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area earn at least $48,010 a year. The top 25% earn $39,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,000 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $33,090 or less.
How many security guards work in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA?
About 22,730 security guards are employed in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.