Security Guard salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Security Guards in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $36,620 a year ($17.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,190 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,380 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 3% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $35,460. There are 5.6 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $39,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,950 | $14.40 |
| 25th percentile | $34,370 | $16.53 |
| Median | $36,620 | $17.61 |
| 75th percentile | $42,410 | $20.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $52,380 | $25.19 |
| Average (mean) | $39,510 | $19.00 |
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 | $3,051.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,525.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,408.46 |
| Weekly | $704.23 |
| Hourly | $17.61 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Florence, SC | $39,060 | 610 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $36,810 | 680 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $36,350 | 770 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $35,760 | 3,000 |
| Columbia, SC | $35,140 | 5,290 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $35,010 | 12,020 |
| Sumter, SC | $34,660 | 90 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $33,450 | 3,370 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $31,480 | 1,020 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $33,170 | $15.95 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $73,990 | $35.57 |
| School Bus Monitor | $33,120 | $15.92 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $51,890 | $24.95 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $39,060 | $18.78 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $60,570 | $29.12 |
| Firefighter | $46,830 | $22.52 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $52,300 | $25.15 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $81,800 | $39.33 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $73,280 | $35.23 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $78,410 | $37.70 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $58,720 | $28.23 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $51,800 | $24.90 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
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 Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for security guards in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $36,620 a year, or $17.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of security guards in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $52,380 a year. The top 25% earn $42,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,950 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $34,370 or less.
How many security guards work in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
About 2,190 security guards are employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.