Security Guards Salary in Columbus, OH

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

Median annual salary $36,730 -4.3% vs national
Median hourly $17.66
10th percentile $29,380
90th percentile $59,910
Employed locally 8,830
National median $38,370

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Security Guards
in
Columbus, OH
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,380
    25th
    $30,850
    50th (median)
    $36,730
    75th
    $42,380
    90th
    $59,910

    Columbus economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $79,847 2023 • Census ACS
    Security Guards salary vs area income 46% Median Security Guards salary is 54% 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
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $36,630
    Southern Ohio nonmetropolitan area $36,440
    Ohio $36,180

    Related occupations in Columbus, OH

    OccupationMedian salary
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $99,960
    Firefighters $71,030
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $58,730
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $110,860
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $29,810
    Crossing Guards and Flaggers $35,860

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Security Guards make per hour in Columbus?

    The median hourly wage for Security Guards in Columbus, OH is $17.66, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $26.14 or more per hour.

    Is Columbus above or below average for Security Guards salaries?

    The median Security Guards salary in Columbus, OH is 4.3% 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 Columbus?

    Entry-level Security Guards (10th percentile) earn around $29,380 per year in Columbus, OH. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $30,850.