Security Guard salary in Wheeling, WV-OH
Security Guards in the Wheeling, WV-OH metro area earn a median of $30,960 a year ($14.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 330 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,060 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 7% higher than the West Virginia statewide median of $28,800. There are 5.8 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $33,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Wheeling, WV-OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,250 | $10.22 |
| 25th percentile | $24,630 | $11.84 |
| Median | $30,960 | $14.89 |
| 75th percentile | $35,570 | $17.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,060 | $21.67 |
| Average (mean) | $33,900 | $16.30 |
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 | $2,580 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,290 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,190.77 |
| Weekly | $595.38 |
| Hourly | $14.89 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $46,830 | 40,950 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $37,900 | 260 |
| 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 |
| Morgantown, WV | $34,290 | 360 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $33,990 | 760 |
| Mansfield, OH | $33,670 | 140 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $33,020 | 1,490 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $31,230 | 150 |
| Lima, OH | $30,060 | 140 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | $29,730 | 160 |
| Charleston, WV | $20,800 | 2,160 |
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 West Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Wheeling, WV-OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $24,320 | $11.69 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $59,240 | $28.48 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $58,380 | $28.07 |
| Firefighter | $41,140 | $19.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $73,190 | $35.19 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $43,250 | $20.79 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Wheeling, WV-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 Wheeling, WV-OH?
The median salary for security guards in the Wheeling, WV-OH metro area is $30,960 a year, or $14.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Wheeling, WV-OH?
The top 10% of security guards in the Wheeling, WV-OH metro area earn at least $45,060 a year. The top 25% earn $35,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Wheeling, WV-OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,250 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $24,630 or less.
How many security guards work in Wheeling, WV-OH?
About 330 security guards are employed in the Wheeling, WV-OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.