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How to hire an alarm technician

Alarm technician hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring alarm technicians in the United States:

  • There are a total of 37,261 alarm technicians in the US, and there are currently 94,813 job openings in this field.
  • The median cost to hire an alarm technician is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per alarm technician on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Nashville, TN, has the highest demand for alarm technicians, with 15 job openings.

How to hire an alarm technician, step by step

To hire an alarm technician, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a alarm technician:

Here's a step-by-step alarm technician hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write an alarm technician job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new alarm technician
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an alarm technician do?

An alarm technician installs, maintains, and troubleshoots security alarms that are used in a company or establishment. Security alarms serve to deter to thievery and break-ins. An alarm technician is responsible for ensuring that installed security alarms will always work as expected. This position requires experience as an electrician, knowledge of the common types of alarm systems, and a keen grasp of security practices.

Learn more about the specifics of what an alarm technician does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you start hiring an alarm technician, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    Hiring the perfect alarm technician also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

    This list shows salaries for various types of alarm technicians.

    Type of Alarm TechnicianDescriptionHourly rate
    Alarm Technician$14-27
    Fire Alarm InspectorFire alarm inspectors are professionals who are responsible for inspecting the alarm systems of a residential or commercial building to ensure that the systems are working and following the local, state, and federal fire safety regulations. These inspectors are required to configure fire alarm systems and automatic sprinklers for proper operation... Show more$14-30
    Security Installation TechnicianA security installation technician is tasked with the job of installing, programming, maintaining, and repairing a security system. The security installation technicians help ensure that all the security systems are performing according to standard... Show more$15-30
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Fire Protection
    • Work Ethic
    • NFPA
    • Alarm Equipment
    • Cctv Systems
    • Customer Service
    • Camera Systems
    • Alarm Panels
    • Security Industry
    • ADT
    • Honeywell
    • Control Systems
    • Fire Alarm Systems
    • DSC
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage security access control through the LENEL system, resolve trouble tickets, programme cameras and programme card readers/biometric readers.
    • Install, manage, and troubleshoot CAT3, CAT5, CAT6, and fiber optic infrastructures throughout the greater Tulsa area.
    • Install and programme Lenel R40, RK40, and R10 card readers.
    • Work with Linux, Unix, and windows operating systems.
    • Work with Honeywell, IDI, DSC and many other panels.
    • Train to work in confine spaces, lifts, extension ladders, following OSHA regulations
    More alarm technician duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your alarm technician job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An alarm technician salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, alarm technicians' average salary in montana is 55% less than in indiana.
    • Seniority. Entry-level alarm technicians earn 46% less than senior-level alarm technicians.
    • Certifications. An alarm technician with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an alarm technician's salary.

    Average alarm technician salary

    $42,630yearly

    $20.50 hourly rate

    Entry-level alarm technician salary
    $31,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 17, 2025

    Average alarm technician salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Indiana$55,007$26
    2Wisconsin$53,001$25
    3Idaho$52,892$25
    4California$51,182$25
    5New York$49,361$24
    6Utah$46,627$22
    7Oklahoma$45,557$22
    8Missouri$45,078$22
    9Alabama$44,653$21
    10North Carolina$44,321$21
    11Colorado$44,077$21
    12Virginia$42,943$21
    13Washington$42,100$20
    14New Mexico$41,043$20
    15Ohio$40,397$19
    16Texas$40,152$19
    17Arizona$39,608$19
    18Georgia$38,862$19
    19Nevada$38,687$19
    20Tennessee$36,966$18

    Average alarm technician salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1EMCOR Group$50,786$24.4298
    2ADT Security Services$49,602$23.8561
    3Pacific Lutheran University$46,258$22.24
    4University of Alaska$45,877$22.066
    5Johnson Controls$45,584$21.92536
    6AMS Madison$44,891$21.58
    7Vectrus$44,600$21.44
    8International Fire Protection$42,919$20.63
    9APi Group$42,800$20.5887
    10Firetrol Protection Systems$42,760$20.5665
    11Western States Fire Protection$42,551$20.46
    12Sobieski Services$42,236$20.313
    13Mountain Alarm$42,184$20.284
    14TradeSTAR$42,056$20.2239
    15Pacific Architects and Engineers$42,015$20.20
    16Walmart$42,009$20.201,135
    17Jackson Madison County School System$41,838$20.11
    18RFI$41,412$19.918
    19Randstad North America, Inc.$41,408$19.91
    20BAE Systems$41,186$19.8037
  4. Writing an alarm technician job description

    An alarm technician job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of an alarm technician job description:

    Alarm technician job description example

    • High School Diploma/ GED.
    • 2+ Years security alarm industry experience required.
    • Ability to work with small tools as assigned (i.e. screwdriver, hammer, etc.)
    • Ability to install, inspect, or service security alarms.
    • Basic computer knowledge and experience using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).
    • Exemplary customer service skills to deal with both internal and external customers.
    • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
    • Must read and speak English.
    • Strong Time Management Skills.
    • Must be able to lift a minimum of 50 pounds.
    • Must be responsible, self-motivated, self-starter, personable and well-organized.
    • Must have clean driving record and a valid Colorado Driver's License.

    About Mountain Alarm Fire & Security:

    Mountain Alarm Fire & Security is a division of Fire Protection Service Corporation. FPSC was founded in 1952 and has over 65 years' experience protecting what matters most. The Company has grown and expanded to locations throughout Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. In January 2017, United Security Systems was acquired and joined our growing Mountain Alarm Fire and Security brand throughout the state of Colorado. As a family owned and operated Company, we strive to provide the best customer experience from inception and beyond. We hire quality individuals with entrepreneurial spirits who are excited to help us soar to levels that far exceed our competition.

    We offer on-the-job training for industry specific skills and knowledge. We support certification in our employee's fields, from NICET and beyond. We strive to promote internal organic growth and encourage employees to apply for positions that offer personal development in our rapidly expanding company.

    #zr



    Job Posted by ApplicantPro
  5. Post your job

    To find the right alarm technician for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with alarm technicians they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit alarm technicians who meet your education requirements.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your alarm technician job on Zippia to find and recruit alarm technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with alarm technician candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new alarm technician

    Once you've found the alarm technician candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

    It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new alarm technician. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire an alarm technician?

Before you start to hire alarm technicians, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire alarm technicians pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

You can expect to pay around $42,630 per year for an alarm technician, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for alarm technicians in the US typically range between $14 and $27 an hour.

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