Security Guard salary in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
Security Guards in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn a median of $36,110 a year ($17.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,970 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,970 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 1% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $35,770. There are 7.2 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $40,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,670 | $14.27 |
| 25th percentile | $32,570 | $15.66 |
| Median | $36,110 | $17.36 |
| 75th percentile | $44,760 | $21.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,970 | $26.43 |
| Average (mean) | $40,170 | $19.31 |
Half of security guards earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,009.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,504.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,388.85 |
| Weekly | $694.42 |
| Hourly | $17.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Security Guard salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kokomo, IN | $44,080 | 110 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $39,990 | 48,360 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $38,370 | 120 |
| Springfield, OH | $37,540 | 160 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $36,510 | 2,040 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $36,510 | 590 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $36,490 | 9,910 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $36,420 | 5,000 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $36,370 | 170 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $36,230 | 570 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $36,090 | 900 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $35,900 | 340 |
| Cleveland, OH | $35,890 | 7,630 |
| Columbus, OH | $35,800 | 9,300 |
| Sandusky, OH | $35,710 | 230 |
| Bloomington, IN | $35,510 | 600 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $35,400 | 2,560 |
| Akron, OH | $35,340 | 1,940 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $35,140 | 750 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $35,140 | 1,240 |
| Toledo, OH | $34,950 | 1,680 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $34,800 | 700 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $34,720 | 390 |
| Columbus, IN | $34,630 | 250 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $34,450 | 140 |
| Evansville, IN | $34,010 | 590 |
| Mansfield, OH | $33,670 | 140 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $33,550 | 330 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $33,020 | 1,490 |
| Muncie, IN | $32,520 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for security guards
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $64,210 |
| Alaska | $47,480 |
| Washington | $47,100 |
| Vermont | $45,550 |
| Oregon | $45,500 |
| New Hampshire | $45,200 |
| Colorado | $45,150 |
| Massachusetts | $44,670 |
| New York | $44,240 |
| Virginia | $43,640 |
See Security Guard pay in every state or the Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,320 | $14.58 |
| School Bus Monitor | $29,570 | $14.21 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,650 | $30.60 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $46,190 | $22.21 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $34,850 | $16.75 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $41,320 | $19.87 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $45,880 | $22.06 |
| Animal Control Worker | $37,180 | $17.88 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $80,410 | $38.66 |
| Firefighter | $58,570 | $28.16 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $55,460 | $26.66 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $86,770 | $41.72 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $102,870 | $49.46 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $56,970 | $27.39 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-9032. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The median salary for security guards in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $36,110 a year, or $17.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The top 10% of security guards in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn at least $54,970 a year. The top 25% earn $44,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,670 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $32,570 or less.
How many security guards work in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
About 7,970 security guards are employed in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.