Security Guard salary in Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC
Security Guards in the Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC metro area earn a median of $35,760 a year ($17.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,000 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,190 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 1% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $35,460. There are 6.9 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $36,090, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,690 | $13.79 |
| 25th percentile | $29,940 | $14.39 |
| Median | $35,760 | $17.19 |
| 75th percentile | $36,590 | $17.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,190 | $21.73 |
| Average (mean) | $36,090 | $17.35 |
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 | $2,980 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,490 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,375.38 |
| Weekly | $687.69 |
| Hourly | $17.19 |
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 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $36,620 | 2,190 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $36,350 | 770 |
| 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 Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $23,450 | $11.28 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $31,630 | $15.21 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Animal Control Worker | $35,190 | $16.92 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $47,220 | $22.70 |
| School Bus Monitor | $26,240 | $12.62 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $57,780 | $27.78 |
| Firefighter | $39,980 | $19.22 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $47,240 | $22.71 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $73,700 | $35.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $59,960 | $28.83 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $47,100 | $22.65 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $62,700 | $30.15 |
| Bailiff | $25,230 | $12.13 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Greenville-Anderson-Greer, 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 Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC?
The median salary for security guards in the Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC metro area is $35,760 a year, or $17.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC?
The top 10% of security guards in the Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC metro area earn at least $45,190 a year. The top 25% earn $36,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,690 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $29,940 or less.
How many security guards work in Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC?
About 3,000 security guards are employed in the Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.