Birmingham, AL · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Security Guard Salary in Birmingham, AL

In the Birmingham, AL metropolitan area, security guards earned a median annual wage of $34,800 ($16.73/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $23,800/year and the 90th was $47,100/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Alabama tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $28,744 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 91.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$34,800$16.73 per hour · $2,900 monthly
10th Percentile$23,800$11.44/hr base
25th Percentile$29,000$13.94/hr base
75th Percentile$38,600$18.56/hr base
90th Percentile$47,100$22.64/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

$34,800
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$34,800
Net 83%
Fed 6%
AL 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$28,744After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,395Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,106Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,996 / yr
Alabama state income tax$1,398 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,662 / yr

Security Guards Wage Percentiles in Birmingham, 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 Birmingham, AL Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (AL)
10th Percentile$11.44/hr$1,983$23,800$20,323
25th Percentile$13.94/hr$2,417$29,000$24,353
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.73/hr$2,900$34,800$28,744
75th Percentile$18.56/hr$3,217$38,600$31,628
90th Percentile$22.64/hr$3,925$47,100$38,083

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Birmingham, AL

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$34,800 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$71,498Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index91.68.4% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio48.7%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Security Guards Pay in Birmingham, AL

What is the median salary for security guards in Birmingham, AL?

The official BLS median annual wage for security guards in Birmingham, AL is $34,800, which equates to approximately $2,900 per month or $16.73 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for security guards in Birmingham, AL?

The median hourly wage for security guards in Birmingham, AL is $16.73 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $11.44/hour and one in ten earned more than $22.64/hour.

What is the pay range for security guards in Birmingham, AL?

BLS wage estimates for security guards in Birmingham, AL span from $23,800 at the 10th percentile to $29,000 at the 25th, $38,600 at the 75th, and $47,100 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do security guards take home after taxes in Birmingham, AL?

On a median gross salary of $34,800, an estimated $28,744 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,106 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Alabama in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,056 (an effective rate of 17.4%).

How much do security guards make per month in Birmingham, AL?

On the median annual salary of $34,800, gross monthly income is $2,900. After federal, FICA, and Alabama state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,395 per month (or $1,106 every two weeks).

Is $34,800 a good salary in Birmingham, AL?

At $34,800, the median salary for security guards is 48.7% of the Birmingham, AL median household income ($71,498). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 91.6, making regional consumer goods and services 8.4% cheaper than the U.S. average.