Auburn-Opelika, AL · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Security Guard Salary in Auburn-Opelika, AL

In the Auburn-Opelika, AL metropolitan area, security guards earned a median annual wage of $33,400 ($16.06/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $22,900/year and the 90th was $45,200/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Alabama tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $27,685 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 87.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$33,400$16.06 per hour · $2,783 monthly
10th Percentile$22,900$11.01/hr base
25th Percentile$27,800$13.37/hr base
75th Percentile$37,000$17.79/hr base
90th Percentile$45,200$21.73/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$33,400
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$33,400
Net 83%
Fed 5%
AL 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$27,685After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,307Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,065Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,828 / yr
Alabama state income tax$1,332 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,555 / yr

Security Guards Wage Percentiles in Auburn-Opelika, AL

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Security Guards in the Auburn-Opelika, AL Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (AL)
10th Percentile$11.01/hr$1,908$22,900$19,622
25th Percentile$13.37/hr$2,317$27,800$23,432
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.06/hr$2,783$33,400$27,685
75th Percentile$17.79/hr$3,083$37,000$30,413
90th Percentile$21.73/hr$3,767$45,200$36,640

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Auburn-Opelika, AL

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$33,400 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$63,649Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index87.912.1% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio52.5%of area median income

Compare security guards salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Alabama:

Frequently Asked Questions About Security Guards Pay in Auburn-Opelika, AL

What is the median salary for security guards in Auburn-Opelika, AL?

The official BLS median annual wage for security guards in Auburn-Opelika, AL is $33,400, which equates to approximately $2,783 per month or $16.06 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for security guards in Auburn-Opelika, AL?

The median hourly wage for security guards in Auburn-Opelika, AL is $16.06 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $11.01/hour and one in ten earned more than $21.73/hour.

What is the pay range for security guards in Auburn-Opelika, AL?

BLS wage estimates for security guards in Auburn-Opelika, AL span from $22,900 at the 10th percentile to $27,800 at the 25th, $37,000 at the 75th, and $45,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do security guards take home after taxes in Auburn-Opelika, AL?

On a median gross salary of $33,400, an estimated $27,685 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,065 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Alabama in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,715 (an effective rate of 17.1%).

How much do security guards make per month in Auburn-Opelika, AL?

On the median annual salary of $33,400, gross monthly income is $2,783. After federal, FICA, and Alabama state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,307 per month (or $1,065 every two weeks).

Is $33,400 a good salary in Auburn-Opelika, AL?

At $33,400, the median salary for security guards is 52.5% of the Auburn-Opelika, AL median household income ($63,649). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 87.9, making regional consumer goods and services 12.1% cheaper than the U.S. average.