Security Guard salary in Birmingham, AL
Security Guards in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn a median of $33,820 a year ($16.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,660 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,410 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is about the same as the Alabama statewide median of $33,720. There are 11 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $34,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Birmingham, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,070 | $11.09 |
| 25th percentile | $28,960 | $13.92 |
| Median | $33,820 | $16.26 |
| 75th percentile | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,410 | $21.35 |
| Average (mean) | $34,350 | $16.51 |
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 | $2,818.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,409.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,300.77 |
| Weekly | $650.38 |
| Hourly | $16.26 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Decatur, AL | $38,500 | 450 |
| Huntsville, AL | $36,210 | 1,600 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $34,840 | 320 |
| 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 |
See Security Guard pay in every state or the Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Birmingham, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,320 | $13.62 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $49,390 | $23.75 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| Animal Control Worker | $37,740 | $18.14 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $30,830 | $14.82 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $60,590 | $29.13 |
| Firefighter | $51,050 | $24.55 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $57,570 | $27.68 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $94,790 | $45.57 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $83,030 | $39.92 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $47,410 | $22.79 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $79,560 | $38.25 |
| Bailiff | $46,930 | $22.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $86,350 | $41.51 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Birmingham, AL
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 Birmingham, AL?
The median salary for security guards in the Birmingham, AL metro area is $33,820 a year, or $16.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Birmingham, AL?
The top 10% of security guards in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn at least $44,410 a year. The top 25% earn $36,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Birmingham, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,070 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $28,960 or less.
How many security guards work in Birmingham, AL?
About 5,660 security guards are employed in the Birmingham, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.