Security Guard salary in Columbus, IN
Security Guards in the Columbus, IN metro area earn a median of $34,630 a year ($16.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,630 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 5% lower than the Indiana statewide median of $36,490. There are 5.0 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.60). The average (mean) salary is $39,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Columbus, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,250 | $14.06 |
| 25th percentile | $30,800 | $14.81 |
| Median | $34,630 | $16.65 |
| 75th percentile | $44,440 | $21.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,630 | $28.67 |
| Average (mean) | $39,450 | $18.97 |
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 | $2,885.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,442.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,331.92 |
| Weekly | $665.96 |
| Hourly | $16.65 |
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 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $36,510 | 590 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $36,490 | 9,910 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $36,420 | 5,000 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $36,230 | 570 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $36,110 | 7,970 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $36,090 | 900 |
| Bloomington, IN | $35,510 | 600 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $35,140 | 1,240 |
| Evansville, IN | $34,010 | 590 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $33,550 | 330 |
| 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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $23,640 | $11.37 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $72,500 | $34.86 |
| Firefighter | $43,510 | $20.92 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, 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 Columbus, IN?
The median salary for security guards in the Columbus, IN metro area is $34,630 a year, or $16.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Columbus, IN?
The top 10% of security guards in the Columbus, IN metro area earn at least $59,630 a year. The top 25% earn $44,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Columbus, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,250 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $30,800 or less.
How many security guards work in Columbus, IN?
About 250 security guards are employed in the Columbus, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.