Security Guard salary in Cleveland, TN
Security Guards in the Cleveland, TN metro area earn a median of $30,680 a year ($14.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,280 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 15% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $36,000. There are 2.4 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.29). The average (mean) salary is $36,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Cleveland, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,090 | $13.02 |
| 25th percentile | $29,480 | $14.17 |
| Median | $30,680 | $14.75 |
| 75th percentile | $41,100 | $19.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,280 | $22.25 |
| Average (mean) | $36,660 | $17.62 |
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 | $2,556.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,278.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,180 |
| Weekly | $590 |
| Hourly | $14.75 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $37,010 | 10,710 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $36,270 | 500 |
| Jackson, TN | $35,960 | 460 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $35,900 | 340 |
| Knoxville, TN | $35,810 | 2,860 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $35,650 | 1,820 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $35,100 | 8,450 |
| Morristown, TN | $30,790 | 70 |
| Johnson City, TN | $27,720 | 570 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cleveland, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $25,440 | $12.23 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $58,800 | $28.27 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Cleveland, TN
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 Cleveland, TN?
The median salary for security guards in the Cleveland, TN metro area is $30,680 a year, or $14.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Cleveland, TN?
The top 10% of security guards in the Cleveland, TN metro area earn at least $46,280 a year. The top 25% earn $41,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Cleveland, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,090 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $29,480 or less.
How many security guards work in Cleveland, TN?
About 100 security guards are employed in the Cleveland, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.