Security Guard salary in Columbus, OH
Security Guards in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $35,800 a year ($17.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,300 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,370 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is about the same as the Ohio statewide median of $35,770. There are 8.4 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $40,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,600 | $14.23 |
| 25th percentile | $33,520 | $16.12 |
| Median | $35,800 | $17.21 |
| 75th percentile | $44,880 | $21.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,370 | $26.14 |
| Average (mean) | $40,280 | $19.36 |
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 | $2,983.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,491.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,376.92 |
| Weekly | $688.46 |
| Hourly | $17.21 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Springfield, OH | $37,540 | 160 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $36,510 | 2,040 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $36,110 | 7,970 |
| Cleveland, OH | $35,890 | 7,630 |
| Sandusky, OH | $35,710 | 230 |
| Akron, OH | $35,340 | 1,940 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $35,140 | 750 |
| Toledo, OH | $34,950 | 1,680 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $34,800 | 700 |
| Mansfield, OH | $33,670 | 140 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $33,020 | 1,490 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $31,230 | 150 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $30,960 | 330 |
| Lima, OH | $30,060 | 140 |
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 Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,260 | $14.07 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $61,690 | $29.66 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $51,780 | $24.90 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,750 | $30.65 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| School Bus Monitor | $32,830 | $15.78 |
| Animal Control Worker | $45,220 | $21.74 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $100,890 | $48.50 |
| Firefighter | $61,780 | $29.70 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $58,040 | $27.90 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $121,750 | $58.54 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $85,230 | $40.98 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $79,000 | $37.98 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $51,470 | $24.74 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, OH
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, OH?
The median salary for security guards in the Columbus, OH metro area is $35,800 a year, or $17.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of security guards in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $54,370 a year. The top 25% earn $44,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,600 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $33,520 or less.
How many security guards work in Columbus, OH?
About 9,300 security guards are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.