Security Guards Salary in Cleveland, OH

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Cleveland, OH

Median annual salary $36,080 -6% vs national
Median hourly $17.34
10th percentile $28,870
90th percentile $62,430
Employed locally 7,790
National median $38,370

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Security Guards
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Cleveland, OH
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $28,870
    25th
    $30,090
    50th (median)
    $36,080
    75th
    $42,910
    90th
    $62,430

    Cleveland economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,507 2023 • Census ACS
    Security Guards salary vs area income 53% Median Security Guards salary is 47% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Security Guards

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $87,770
    Idaho Falls, ID $79,470
    District of Columbia $63,130
    Northwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area $56,380
    Fairbanks-College, AK $52,850
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $51,320

    Nearby metros — Security Guards salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    North Northeastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area (noncontiguous) $48,270
    Sandusky, OH $40,640
    West Northwestern Ohio nonmetropolitan area $37,050
    Columbus, OH $36,730
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $36,630
    Southern Ohio nonmetropolitan area $36,440

    Related occupations in Cleveland, OH

    OccupationMedian salary
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $81,730
    Firefighters $62,460
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $63,900
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $28,690
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $101,430
    Protective Service Workers, All Other $42,990

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Security Guards make per hour in Cleveland?

    The median hourly wage for Security Guards in Cleveland, OH is $17.34, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $27.17 or more per hour.

    Is Cleveland above or below average for Security Guards salaries?

    The median Security Guards salary in Cleveland, OH is 6% below the national median of $38,370. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Security Guards in Cleveland?

    Entry-level Security Guards (10th percentile) earn around $28,870 per year in Cleveland, OH. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $30,090.