Security Guard salary in Ohio
Security Guards in Ohio earn a median of $35,770 a year ($17.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 34,450 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,440 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $38,020. Ohio ranks 43rd of 51 states for security guards pay. There are 6.2 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $39,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Ohio
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,030 | $13.96 |
| 25th percentile | $31,140 | $14.97 |
| Median | $35,770 | $17.20 |
| 75th percentile | $44,500 | $21.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,440 | $26.65 |
| Average (mean) | $39,950 | $19.21 |
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 | $2,980.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,490.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,375.77 |
| Weekly | $687.88 |
| Hourly | $17.20 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Security Guard salary in cities in Ohio
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Ohio
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,770 | $13.35 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $47,200 | $22.69 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $44,890 | $21.58 |
| School Bus Monitor | $28,110 | $13.51 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $65,870 | $31.67 |
| Animal Control Worker | $45,220 | $21.74 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $45,880 | $22.06 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $77,020 | $37.03 |
| Firefighter | $59,370 | $28.54 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $59,370 | $28.55 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $98,380 | $47.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $84,490 | $40.62 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $79,300 | $38.13 |
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 Ohio?
The median salary for security guards in Ohio is $35,770 a year, or $17.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Ohio?
The top 10% of security guards in Ohio earn at least $55,440 a year. The top 25% earn $44,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Ohio?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,030 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $31,140 or less.
How many security guards work in Ohio?
About 34,450 security guards are employed in Ohio, not counting the self-employed.