Security Guard Salary in Dayton, OH
Security Guards in the Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH metro area earn a median $36,510 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,294 take-home, or $2,608 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Dayton, OH. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,201
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,264
- Medicare (1.45%)$529
- Ohio income tax$222
- Take-home pay$31,294
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.75% state
Security Guard pay by experience in Dayton, OH
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,510 | $14.19 | $25,862 | $2,155 |
| 25th percentile | $33,900 | $16.30 | $29,269 | $2,439 |
| Median (50th) | $36,510 | $17.55 | $31,294 | $2,608 |
| 75th percentile | $47,620 | $22.89 | $39,915 | $3,326 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,470 | $29.55 | $50,663 | $4,222 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Ohio resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,510 buys in Dayton, OH
Prices in Dayton, OH are 7.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 27% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $31,294 take-home pay has the buying power of $33,761 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Security Guard jobs are less concentrated in Dayton, OH than nationally (location quotient 0.66), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Dayton, OH ranks #66 of 224 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Idaho Falls, ID | $78,680 | $61,120 | $64,737 |
| 2 | Kennewick, WA | $54,670 | $46,107 | $46,071 |
| 3 | Lynchburg, VA | $49,480 | $39,906 | $44,656 |
| 4 | Rochester, MN | $47,790 | $38,841 | $42,767 |
| 5 | Albuquerque, NM | $44,780 | $37,202 | $38,937 |
| 6 | Utica, NY | $44,420 | $36,070 | $38,919 |
| 7 | Fayetteville, NC | $42,940 | $35,478 | $38,572 |
| 8 | Omaha, NE | $42,370 | $35,176 | $38,272 |
| 66 | Dayton, OH | $36,510 | $31,294 | $33,761 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 224 metros →
Security Guard salaries elsewhere in Ohio
- Canton, OH — $35,140
- Toledo, OH — $34,950
- Cleveland, OH — $35,890
- Youngstown, OH — $33,020
- Akron, OH — $35,340
- Cincinnati, OH — $36,110
- Columbus, OH — $35,800
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Dayton, OH?
The median security guard salary in the Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH metro area is $36,510 a year, or about $17.55 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $33,900 and $47,620.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Dayton, OH?
On the median $36,510 salary, a single filer living in Ohio takes home about $31,294 a year ($2,608 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $222 in Ohio taxes in 2026.
Is Dayton, OH a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 7.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $33,761 would in a typical U.S. city. Dayton, OH ranks #66 of 224 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Dayton, OH?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Dayton, OH is $1,009 a month ($1,273 for two bedrooms) — 39% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Dayton, OH
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $76,310
- Firefighter — $57,400