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The average salary for an alarm operator in the United States is $29,349 per year, translating to about $14 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as experience, location, and the specific industry. For instance, alarm operators with more years of experience typically earn higher wages. In terms of geographic distribution, states like California and New York often offer higher compensation due to the cost of living and demand for security services.
Entry-level positions start at around $25,000 annually, with the potential to increase as operators gain experience and additional certifications. Experienced operators can earn upwards of $40,000, especially in urban areas where the demand for security systems is greater. It's crucial for those entering the field to consider the impact of local market conditions on potential earnings.
States with higher average salaries for alarm operators include California, New York, and Texas. These regions not only have a higher cost of living but also a larger number of commercial enterprises requiring robust security solutions. Understanding these dynamics can help job seekers target their applications effectively.
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The average alarm operator salary in Oregon, Maine, and Minnesota are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average alarm operator salary states are Ohio, Oklahoma, and Georgia.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming | $37,875 | $18.21 |
| 2 | Oregon | $44,603 | $21.44 |
| 3 | Colorado | $37,280 | $17.92 |
| 4 | Washington | $37,077 | $17.83 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $34,599 | $16.63 |
| 6 | Alaska | $34,645 | $16.66 |
| 7 | Rhode Island | $33,831 | $16.26 |
| 8 | Kansas | $36,300 | $17.45 |
| 9 | Wisconsin | $33,594 | $16.15 |
| 10 | Maine | $40,347 | $19.40 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $39,247 | $18.87 |
| 12 | Illinois | $38,354 | $18.44 |
| 13 | Nevada | $32,025 | $15.40 |
| 14 | West Virginia | $36,628 | $17.61 |
| 15 | New Hampshire | $34,766 | $16.71 |
| 16 | North Dakota | $35,350 | $17.00 |
| 17 | Connecticut | $34,232 | $16.46 |
| 18 | Vermont | $34,866 | $16.76 |
| 19 | California | $34,065 | $16.38 |
| 20 | Montana | $30,426 | $14.63 |
| 21 | New Jersey | $30,966 | $14.89 |
| 22 | District of Columbia | $32,220 | $15.49 |
| 23 | South Dakota | $30,075 | $14.46 |
| 24 | Iowa | $30,883 | $14.85 |
| 25 | Missouri | $29,064 | $13.97 |
| 26 | Idaho | $28,914 | $13.90 |
| 27 | Arizona | $29,161 | $14.02 |
| 28 | New Mexico | $29,462 | $14.16 |
| 29 | Delaware | $32,665 | $15.70 |
| 30 | Utah | $29,998 | $14.42 |
| 31 | Maryland | $28,597 | $13.75 |
| 32 | Pennsylvania | $29,833 | $14.34 |
| 33 | New York | $31,801 | $15.29 |
| 34 | Nebraska | $30,183 | $14.51 |
| 35 | Virginia | $28,443 | $13.67 |
| 36 | Michigan | $29,446 | $14.16 |
| 37 | Alabama | $25,863 | $12.43 |
| 38 | Hawaii | $26,838 | $12.90 |
| 39 | Texas | $27,890 | $13.41 |
| 40 | Indiana | $26,614 | $12.80 |
| 41 | Louisiana | $25,117 | $12.08 |
| 42 | Tennessee | $25,058 | $12.05 |
| 43 | Mississippi | $26,558 | $12.77 |
| 44 | South Carolina | $23,922 | $11.50 |
| 45 | Florida | $24,818 | $11.93 |
| 46 | North Carolina | $24,852 | $11.95 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $24,250 | $11.66 |
| 48 | Georgia | $24,013 | $11.54 |
| 49 | Ohio | $24,361 | $11.71 |
| 50 | Kentucky | $23,146 | $11.13 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $19,519 | $9.38 |
The highest-paying cities for alarm operators are Kirkland, WA, Freeport, NY, and Ogden, UT.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kirkland, WA | $37,151 | $17.86 |
| 2 | Freeport, NY | $31,805 | $15.29 |
| 3 | Ogden, UT | $30,165 | $14.50 |
| 4 | Phoenix, AZ | $29,202 | $14.04 |
| 5 | Rexburg, ID | $28,777 | $13.84 |
| 6 | Austin, TX | $27,730 | $13.33 |
| 7 | Enid, OK | $24,483 | $11.77 |
An alarm operator's salary ranges from $25,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $34,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
| 75th Percentile | $31,000 | $2,583 | $15 |
| Average | $29,349 | $2,446 | $14 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
The highest paying types of alarm operators are emergency dispatch operator, 911 operator, and operations/dispatch.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Security Dispatcher | $33,347 | $2,779 | $16.03 | 82,349 |
| Fire Dispatcher | $37,441 | $3,120 | $18.00 | 7,959 |
| Communications Dispatcher | $35,153 | $2,929 | $16.90 | 19,172 |
| Police Dispatcher | $37,402 | $3,117 | $17.98 | 6,964 |
| Public Safety Dispatcher | $35,063 | $2,922 | $16.86 | 25,700 |
| Call Taker | $38,776 | $3,231 | $18.64 | 11,539 |
Top companies hiring alarm operators now:
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ASRC Federal | $30,506 | $14.67 |
| 2 | U-Haul | $29,457 | $14.16 |
| 3 | AvantGuard Monitoring Centers | $29,398 | $14.13 |
The average alarm operator salary varies across industries:
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Utilities | $33,657 | $16.18 |
| 2 | Health Care | $32,308 | $15.53 |
| 3 | Manufacturing | $30,042 | $14.44 |
| 4 | Professional | $29,700 | $14.28 |
The average alarm operator salary has risen by $4,989 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average alarm operator earned $24,360 annually, but today, they earn $29,349 a year. That works out to a 11% change in pay for alarm operators over the last decade.
Compare alarm operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare alarm operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $29,300 | $14.11 | +3.2% |
| 2024 | $28,400 | $13.66 | +3.0% |
| 2023 | $27,600 | $13.25 | +2.5% |
| 2022 | $26,900 | $12.92 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | $26,400 | $12.67 | +2.2% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Siemens Corporation | Alarm Monitoring Operator-3Rd Shift | Irving, TX | 03/29/2025 | $34,300 |
| Alarm Detection Systems | Alarm Operator-1St. Shift | Aurora, IL | 12/04/2024 | $41,740 |
| Iwjv | Alarm Monitor Dispatch Operator | Anniston, AL | 10/16/2024 | $38,255 |
| Everstaff | Alarm Monitoring Operator | Plymouth, MN | 09/20/2024 | $38,610 |
| Gardaworld | Alarm Monitor Operator | Long Beach, CA | 09/08/2024 | $41,740 |
| Gardaworld | Alarm Monitor Operator | Dallas, TX | 09/08/2024 | $41,740 |
| Gardaworld | Alarm Monitor Operator | Long Beach, CA | 07/20/2024 | $41,740 |
| Gardaworld | Alarm Monitor Operator | Dallas, TX | 07/20/2024 | $41,740 |
| Walden Security | Alarm Monitor Dispatch Operator | Anniston, AL | 05/17/2024 | $38,255 |
| Walden Security | Alarm Monitor Dispatch Operator | Anniston, AL | 05/17/2024 | $38,255 |
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