Security Guard salary in Decatur, AL
Security Guards in the Decatur, AL metro area earn a median of $38,500 a year ($18.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 450 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,440 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 14% higher than the Alabama statewide median of $33,720. There are 7.4 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $45,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Decatur, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,840 | $13.87 |
| 25th percentile | $36,510 | $17.55 |
| Median | $38,500 | $18.51 |
| 75th percentile | $63,440 | $30.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,440 | $30.50 |
| Average (mean) | $45,680 | $21.96 |
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 | $3,208.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,604.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,480.77 |
| Weekly | $740.38 |
| Hourly | $18.51 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
See Security Guard pay in every state or the Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Decatur, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $57,120 | $27.46 |
| Firefighter | $43,650 | $20.99 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $38,770 | $18.64 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $83,140 | $39.97 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Decatur, 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 Decatur, AL?
The median salary for security guards in the Decatur, AL metro area is $38,500 a year, or $18.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Decatur, AL?
The top 10% of security guards in the Decatur, AL metro area earn at least $63,440 a year. The top 25% earn $63,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Decatur, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,840 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $36,510 or less.
How many security guards work in Decatur, AL?
About 450 security guards are employed in the Decatur, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.