How much does a security and fire alarm systems installer make?
The median security and fire alarm systems installer in the United States earns $60,070 per year, about $28.88 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all security and fire alarm systems installers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 49-2098.
Security and fire alarm systems installer salary range
Pay for security and fire alarm systems installers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $38,800 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $81,150. The average (mean) wage of $60,960 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,800 | $18.65 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $47,820 | $22.99 | |
| Median (50th) | $60,070 | $28.88 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $73,690 | $35.43 | |
| 90th percentile | $81,150 | $39.01 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for security and fire alarm systems installers (SOC 49-2098), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Security and fire alarm systems installer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Security and fire alarm systems installers earn the most in Alaska at $79,870 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $47,160. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $79,870 | 110 |
| Massachusetts | $78,530 | 1,690 |
| Rhode Island | $76,320 | 240 |
| Oregon | $75,710 | 950 |
| Connecticut | $75,410 | 540 |
| Washington | $72,950 | 1,670 |
| California | $71,570 | 8,180 |
| Maryland | $65,330 | 2,230 |
| Maine | $64,080 | 240 |
| Iowa | $63,750 | 480 |
| Hawaii | $63,140 | 380 |
| New Jersey | $63,140 | 2,740 |
| Minnesota | $62,440 | 770 |
| Colorado | $62,250 | 1,950 |
| Ohio | $61,860 | 2,440 |
| New Hampshire | $61,530 | 500 |
| Kansas | $61,480 | 740 |
| Utah | $61,150 | 980 |
| Wisconsin | $61,130 | 770 |
| Nevada | $60,980 | 1,170 |
| Virginia | $60,790 | 2,130 |
| Alabama | $60,710 | 1,350 |
| Kentucky | $60,700 | 1,080 |
| Vermont | $60,080 | 110 |
| Florida | $60,070 | 8,320 |
| Illinois | $59,800 | 2,180 |
| Wyoming | $59,800 | 150 |
| South Carolina | $59,710 | 1,050 |
| Arizona | $59,680 | 2,040 |
| Delaware | $59,680 | 160 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,500 | 2,650 |
| Montana | $58,800 | 190 |
| New York | $58,550 | 6,620 |
| District of Columbia | $58,460 | 210 |
| New Mexico | $58,350 | 630 |
| Indiana | $58,070 | 1,930 |
| North Dakota | $57,620 | 150 |
| Michigan | $55,830 | 2,060 |
| South Dakota | $55,690 | 220 |
| Louisiana | $54,730 | 1,170 |
| Missouri | $54,620 | 1,790 |
| North Carolina | $54,120 | 2,880 |
| Georgia | $53,100 | 2,220 |
| Texas | $52,270 | 10,260 |
| Tennessee | $51,460 | 2,520 |
| West Virginia | $51,100 | 260 |
| Idaho | $49,180 | 340 |
| Arkansas | $48,950 | 620 |
| Oklahoma | $48,240 | 1,340 |
| Nebraska | $48,000 | 490 |
| Mississippi | $47,160 | 440 |
State median wages for security and fire alarm systems installers (SOC 49-2098), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for security and fire alarm systems installers
The BLS projects employment of security and fire alarm systems installers to grow 6.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 86,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 92,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 8,500 openings a year for security and fire alarm systems installers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a security and fire alarm systems installer
The typical entry-level education for security and fire alarm systems installers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a security and fire alarm systems installer earns
Certifications, the type of equipment worked on, employer, and region drive most of the pay difference. Flat-rate pay and overtime can push experienced techs well above the median.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Alaska, $79,870) and the lowest (Mississippi, $47,160) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 86,340 people work as security and fire alarm systems installers in the United States. At $60,070 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Security and fire alarm systems installer salary FAQ
How much does a security and fire alarm systems installer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a security and fire alarm systems installer is $28.88. The middle half of security and fire alarm systems installers earn between $22.99 and $35.43 per hour.
What is the highest security and fire alarm systems installer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of security and fire alarm systems installers earn more than $81,150 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a security and fire alarm systems installer make a year?
The median annual salary for a security and fire alarm systems installer is $60,070. The average (mean) wage of $60,960 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a security and fire alarm systems installer a well paid job?
At $60,070 a year, a security and fire alarm systems installer earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 86,340 people work as security and fire alarm systems installers in the United States.
Which state pays security and fire alarm systems installers the most?
Alaska has the highest median salary for security and fire alarm systems installers at $79,870 a year. Massachusetts ($78,530) and Rhode Island ($76,320) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a security and fire alarm systems installer a good career?
Employment of security and fire alarm systems installers is projected to grow 6.8% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 8,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a security and fire alarm systems installer?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for security and fire alarm systems installers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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