Security Guard Salary in Albuquerque, NM
Security Guards in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn a median $44,780 a year — 18% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $37,202 take-home, or $3,100 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Albuquerque, NM. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,194
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,776
- Medicare (1.45%)$649
- New Mexico income tax$958
- Take-home pay$37,202
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.30% state
Security Guard pay by experience in Albuquerque, NM
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,880 | $14.85 | $26,613 | $2,218 |
| 25th percentile | $36,400 | $17.50 | $30,830 | $2,569 |
| Median (50th) | $44,780 | $21.53 | $37,202 | $3,100 |
| 75th percentile | $54,790 | $26.34 | $44,794 | $3,733 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,340 | $30.93 | $52,019 | $4,335 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New Mexico resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $44,780 buys in Albuquerque, NM
Prices in Albuquerque, NM are 4.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 11% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $37,202 take-home pay has the buying power of $38,937 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Albuquerque, NM has 1.3× the national concentration of security guard jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Albuquerque, NM ranks #5 of 224 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Idaho Falls, ID | $78,680 | $61,120 | $64,737 |
| 2 | Kennewick, WA | $54,670 | $46,107 | $46,071 |
| 3 | Lynchburg, VA | $49,480 | $39,906 | $44,656 |
| 4 | Rochester, MN | $47,790 | $38,841 | $42,767 |
| 5 | Albuquerque, NM | $44,780 | $37,202 | $38,937 |
| 6 | Utica, NY | $44,420 | $36,070 | $38,919 |
| 7 | Fayetteville, NC | $42,940 | $35,478 | $38,572 |
| 8 | Omaha, NE | $42,370 | $35,176 | $38,272 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 224 metros →
Security Guard salaries elsewhere in New Mexico
- Farmington, NM — $36,820
- Santa Fe, NM — $40,980
- Las Cruces, NM — $37,010
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Albuquerque, NM?
The median security guard salary in the Albuquerque, NM metro area is $44,780 a year, or about $21.53 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,400 and $54,790.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Albuquerque, NM?
On the median $44,780 salary, a single filer living in New Mexico takes home about $37,202 a year ($3,100 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $958 in New Mexico taxes in 2026.
Is Albuquerque, NM a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 18% above the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 4.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $38,937 would in a typical U.S. city. Albuquerque, NM ranks #5 of 224 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Albuquerque, NM?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Albuquerque, NM is $1,185 a month ($1,464 for two bedrooms) — 38% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Albuquerque, NM
- First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $85,290
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $73,380
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $47,940
- Detective and Criminal Investigator — $47,480
- Firefighter — $42,420