Security Guard Salary in Athens, GA
Security Guards in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn a median $33,910 a year — 11% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $28,290 take-home, or $2,357 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Athens, GA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,889
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,102
- Medicare (1.45%)$492
- Georgia income tax$1,137
- Take-home pay$28,290
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.19% state
Security Guard pay by experience in Athens, GA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,950 | $15.36 | $26,816 | $2,235 |
| 25th percentile | $31,950 | $15.36 | $26,816 | $2,235 |
| Median (50th) | $33,910 | $16.30 | $28,290 | $2,357 |
| 75th percentile | $41,790 | $20.09 | $34,212 | $2,851 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,690 | $24.37 | $40,901 | $3,408 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Georgia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $33,910 buys in Athens, GA
Prices in Athens, GA are 6.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 23% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $28,290 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,307 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Security Guard jobs are less concentrated in Athens, GA than nationally (location quotient 0.71), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Athens, GA ranks #190 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 |
| 190 | Athens, GA | $33,910 | $28,290 | $30,307 |
*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 Georgia
- Macon, GA — $33,940
- Savannah, GA — $34,810
- Augusta, GA — $33,450
- Atlanta, GA — $35,150
- Albany, GA — $29,700
- Columbus, GA — $29,720
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Athens, GA?
The median security guard salary in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area is $33,910 a year, or about $16.30 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $31,950 and $41,790.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Athens, GA?
On the median $33,910 salary, a single filer living in Georgia takes home about $28,290 a year ($2,357 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,137 in Georgia taxes in 2026.
Is Athens, GA a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 11% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 6.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,307 would in a typical U.S. city. Athens, GA ranks #190 of 224 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Athens, GA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Athens, GA is $1,183 a month ($1,331 for two bedrooms) — 50% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Athens, GA
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $60,710