Columbus, GA-AL · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Security Guard Salary in Columbus, GA-AL

In the Columbus, GA-AL metropolitan area, security guards earned a median annual wage of $33,900 ($16.30/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $23,200/year and the 90th was $45,900/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Alabama tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $28,063 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 89.3 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$33,900$16.30 per hour · $2,825 monthly
10th Percentile$23,200$11.15/hr base
25th Percentile$28,200$13.56/hr base
75th Percentile$37,600$18.08/hr base
90th Percentile$45,900$22.07/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

$33,900
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$33,900
Net 83%
Fed 6%
AL 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$28,063After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,339Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,079Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,888 / yr
Alabama state income tax$1,356 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,593 / yr

Security Guards Wage Percentiles in Columbus, GA-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 Columbus, GA-AL Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (AL)
10th Percentile$11.15/hr$1,933$23,200$19,856
25th Percentile$13.56/hr$2,350$28,200$23,742
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.30/hr$2,825$33,900$28,063
75th Percentile$18.08/hr$3,133$37,600$30,868
90th Percentile$22.07/hr$3,825$45,900$37,172

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Columbus, GA-AL

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$33,900 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$59,336Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index89.310.7% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio57.1%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Security Guards Pay in Columbus, GA-AL

What is the median salary for security guards in Columbus, GA-AL?

The official BLS median annual wage for security guards in Columbus, GA-AL is $33,900, which equates to approximately $2,825 per month or $16.30 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for security guards in Columbus, GA-AL?

The median hourly wage for security guards in Columbus, GA-AL is $16.30 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $11.15/hour and one in ten earned more than $22.07/hour.

What is the pay range for security guards in Columbus, GA-AL?

BLS wage estimates for security guards in Columbus, GA-AL span from $23,200 at the 10th percentile to $28,200 at the 25th, $37,600 at the 75th, and $45,900 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do security guards take home after taxes in Columbus, GA-AL?

On a median gross salary of $33,900, an estimated $28,063 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,079 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Alabama in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,837 (an effective rate of 17.2%).

How much do security guards make per month in Columbus, GA-AL?

On the median annual salary of $33,900, gross monthly income is $2,825. After federal, FICA, and Alabama state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,339 per month (or $1,079 every two weeks).

Is $33,900 a good salary in Columbus, GA-AL?

At $33,900, the median salary for security guards is 57.1% of the Columbus, GA-AL median household income ($59,336). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 89.3, making regional consumer goods and services 10.7% cheaper than the U.S. average.