Security Guard Salary in Columbus, GA
Security Guards in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area earn a median $29,720 a year — 22% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $25,140 take-home, or $2,095 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Columbus, GA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,386
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,843
- Medicare (1.45%)$431
- Georgia income tax$920
- Take-home pay$25,140
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.19% state
The Columbus, GA-AL metro spans Georgia, Alabama. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Security Guard pay by experience in Columbus, GA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,680 | $12.83 | $22,819 | $1,902 |
| 25th percentile | $29,190 | $14.03 | $24,742 | $2,062 |
| Median (50th) | $29,720 | $14.29 | $25,140 | $2,095 |
| 75th percentile | $37,870 | $18.21 | $31,266 | $2,605 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $53,870 | $25.90 | $43,291 | $3,608 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Georgia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $29,720 buys in Columbus, GA
Prices in Columbus, GA are 10.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 39% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $25,140 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,154 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Columbus, GA has 1.2× 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
Columbus, GA ranks #219 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 |
| 219 | Columbus, GA | $29,720 | $25,140 | $28,154 |
*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
- Athens, GA — $33,910
- Atlanta, GA — $35,150
- Albany, GA — $29,700
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Columbus, GA?
The median security guard salary in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area is $29,720 a year, or about $14.29 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $29,190 and $37,870.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Columbus, GA?
On the median $29,720 salary, a single filer living in Georgia takes home about $25,140 a year ($2,095 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $920 in Georgia taxes in 2026.
Is Columbus, GA a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 22% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 10.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,154 would in a typical U.S. city. Columbus, GA ranks #219 of 224 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Columbus, GA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Columbus, GA is $936 a month ($1,084 for two bedrooms) — 45% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Columbus, GA
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $49,990
- Firefighter — $48,770