Security Guard salary in South Carolina
Security Guards in South Carolina earn a median of $35,460 a year ($17.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 16,610 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,850 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $38,020. South Carolina ranks 44th of 51 states for security guards pay. There are 7.2 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $37,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,420 | $13.18 |
| 25th percentile | $30,130 | $14.49 |
| Median | $35,460 | $17.05 |
| 75th percentile | $38,220 | $18.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,850 | $23.49 |
| Average (mean) | $37,060 | $17.82 |
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 | $2,955 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,477.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,363.85 |
| Weekly | $681.92 |
| Hourly | $17.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Security Guard salary in cities in South Carolina
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $26,210 | $12.60 |
| School Bus Monitor | $26,240 | $12.62 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $32,690 | $15.72 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $51,530 | $24.78 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $44,130 | $21.22 |
| Animal Control Worker | $38,790 | $18.65 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $58,070 | $27.92 |
| Firefighter | $42,570 | $20.47 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $47,890 | $23.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $73,700 | $35.43 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $62,760 | $30.17 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $65,160 | $31.33 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $47,100 | $22.65 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for security guards in South Carolina is $35,460 a year, or $17.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of security guards in South Carolina earn at least $48,850 a year. The top 25% earn $38,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,420 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $30,130 or less.
How many security guards work in South Carolina?
About 16,610 security guards are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.