Security Guards Salary in Atlanta, GA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA

Median annual salary $36,220 -5.6% vs national
Median hourly $17.41
10th percentile $28,620
90th percentile $60,540
Employed locally 22,150
National median $38,370

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Security Guards
in
Atlanta, GA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $28,620
    25th
    $31,980
    50th (median)
    $36,220
    75th
    $44,080
    90th
    $60,540

    Atlanta economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $86,338 2023 • Census ACS
    Security Guards salary vs area income 42% Median Security Guards salary is 58% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Security Guards

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $87,770
    Idaho Falls, ID $79,470
    District of Columbia $63,130
    Northwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area $56,380
    Fairbanks-College, AK $52,850
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $51,320

    Nearby metros — Security Guards salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Hinesville, GA $47,050
    Logan, UT-ID $43,290
    Mid Michigan nonmetropolitan area $40,860
    Sheboygan, WI $40,410
    Dalton, GA $39,100
    Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV $38,340

    Related occupations in Atlanta, GA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $60,990
    Firefighters $47,770
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $80,960
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators $65,320
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $48,450
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers $75,070

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Security Guards make per hour in Atlanta?

    The median hourly wage for Security Guards in Atlanta, GA is $17.41, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $23.08 or more per hour.

    Is Atlanta above or below average for Security Guards salaries?

    The median Security Guards salary in Atlanta, GA is 5.6% below the national median of $38,370. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Security Guards in Atlanta?

    Entry-level Security Guards (10th percentile) earn around $28,620 per year in Atlanta, GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $31,980.