Security Guards Salary in Ohio
Security Guards in Ohio earn a median annual wage of $35,770 —5.9% below the national median of $38,020. That ranks OH #42 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.75× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Ohio.
Highest-paying states for security guards
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Ohio is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $64,210 | $30.87 | 15,880 | 2.74 |
| 2 | Alaska | $47,480 | $22.83 | 2,100 | 0.78 |
| 3 | Washington | $47,100 | $22.64 | 25,800 | 0.88 |
| 4 | Vermont | $45,550 | $21.90 | 930 | 0.37 |
| 5 | Oregon | $45,500 | $21.88 | 12,200 | 0.75 |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $45,200 | $21.73 | 2,450 | 0.43 |
| 7 | Colorado | $45,150 | $21.71 | 16,890 | 0.71 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $44,670 | $21.48 | 23,930 | 0.80 |
| 9 | New York | $44,240 | $21.27 | 134,700 | 1.68 |
| 10 | Virginia | $43,640 | $20.98 | 34,870 | 1.03 |
Related occupations in Ohio
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Ohio.
| Occupation | Ohio median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $77,020 | $76,210 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $59,370 | $58,940 |
| Firefighters | $59,370 | $59,280 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,770 | $33,580 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $98,380 | $106,040 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $79,300 | $93,790 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do security guards make in Ohio?
The median annual wage for security guards in Ohio is $35,770, or $17.20 per hour. That is 5.9% below the national median of $38,020.
What is the entry-level security guards salary in Ohio?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $29,030 per year ($13.96/hour). The 25th percentile is $31,140.
How many people work as security guards in Ohio?
About 34,450 people work in this occupation in Ohio, or 6.2 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Ohio a good state for security guards?
Ohio ranks #42 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.75x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in Ohio.
Which state pays security guards the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage at $64,210 per year, followed by Alaska ($47,480) and Washington ($47,100).