How much does an alarm system installer make?
a year · about $29 an hour
A typical alarm system installer in the United States makes $60,070 a year, about $29 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They read a building plan, run wires through walls, and mount sensors, cameras, or alarm panels. Then they program and test the system, fix glitches, and show customers how to use it and avoid false alarms.
Did you know? In New York, installing a battery-powered smoke detector does not require an alarm-installer license—but installing a hard-wired one as a business does.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $38,800 and $81,150How do you become one?
In the U.S., finish high school, then train on the job or through a technical program or apprenticeship; training often takes one to two years. In New York, for example, a license requires age 18, approved courses, and an exam.
School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., experience and useful fire-alarm or security certifications can help installers earn more, and some jobs require a state license. Pay also changes with location and employer industry, such as security firms versus building contractors.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Massachusetts ($78,530), lowest in Oklahoma ($48,240).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $38,800 | $60,070 | $81,150 | about 86,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $78,530 | about 2,000 |
| Oregon | $75,710 | about 950 |
| Connecticut | $75,410 | about 540 |
| Washington | $72,950 | about 2,000 |
| California | $71,570 | about 8,000 |
Official definition: Install, program, maintain, and repair security and fire alarm wiring and equipment. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. Excludes “Electricians” (47-2111) who do a broad range of electrical wiring.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes492098.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/49-2098.00
- www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/49-2098.00
- www.onetonline.org/skills/zone/49-2098.00
- dos.ny.gov/get-security-or-fire-alarm-installer-license
- dos.ny.gov/frequently-asked-questions-security-or-fire-alarm-installer
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY