Security Guard Salary in Decatur, AL
Security Guards in the Decatur, AL metro area earn a median $38,500 a year — 1% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,455 take-home, or $2,621 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Decatur, AL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,440
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,387
- Medicare (1.45%)$558
- Alabama income tax$1,660
- Take-home pay$31,455
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.00% state
Security Guard pay by experience in Decatur, AL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,840 | $13.87 | $24,176 | $2,015 |
| 25th percentile | $36,510 | $17.55 | $29,955 | $2,496 |
| Median (50th) | $38,500 | $18.51 | $31,455 | $2,621 |
| 75th percentile | $63,440 | $30.50 | $50,247 | $4,187 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,440 | $30.50 | $50,247 | $4,187 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Alabama resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $38,500 buys in Decatur, AL
Prices in Decatur, AL are 12.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 42% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $31,455 take-home pay has the buying power of $36,067 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 about as common in Decatur, AL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.90).
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Decatur, AL ranks #24 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 |
| 24 | Decatur, AL | $38,500 | $31,455 | $36,067 |
*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 Alabama
- Huntsville, AL — $36,210
- Mobile, AL — $33,630
- Dothan, AL — $30,720
- Birmingham, AL — $33,820
- Tuscaloosa, AL — $31,590
- Montgomery, AL — $31,000
- Daphne, AL — $31,240
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Decatur, AL?
The median security guard salary in the Decatur, AL metro area is $38,500 a year, or about $18.51 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,510 and $63,440.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Decatur, AL?
On the median $38,500 salary, a single filer living in Alabama takes home about $31,455 a year ($2,621 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,660 in Alabama taxes in 2026.
Is Decatur, AL a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 1% above the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 12.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $36,067 would in a typical U.S. city. Decatur, AL ranks #24 of 224 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Decatur, AL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Decatur, AL is $776 a month ($961 for two bedrooms) — 30% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.