Security Guard salary in Lima, OH
Security Guards in the Lima, OH metro area earn a median of $30,060 a year ($14.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,190 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 16% lower than the Ohio statewide median of $35,770. There are 2.7 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.33). The average (mean) salary is $36,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Lima, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,970 | $11.04 |
| 25th percentile | $25,170 | $12.10 |
| Median | $30,060 | $14.45 |
| 75th percentile | $44,230 | $21.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $66,190 | $31.82 |
| Average (mean) | $36,470 | $17.54 |
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 | $2,505 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,252.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,156.15 |
| Weekly | $578.08 |
| Hourly | $14.45 |
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 |
| Columbus, OH | $35,800 | 9,300 |
| 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 |
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 Lima, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $26,220 | $12.60 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $59,240 | $28.48 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $62,170 | $29.89 |
| Firefighter | $60,020 | $28.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $76,010 | $36.55 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Lima, 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 Lima, OH?
The median salary for security guards in the Lima, OH metro area is $30,060 a year, or $14.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Lima, OH?
The top 10% of security guards in the Lima, OH metro area earn at least $66,190 a year. The top 25% earn $44,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Lima, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,970 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $25,170 or less.
How many security guards work in Lima, OH?
About 140 security guards are employed in the Lima, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.