Security Guards Pay Range in North Carolina
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$29,260
- 25th Percentile — Junior$30,640
- 50th Percentile — Median$35,010
- 75th Percentile — Senior$43,610
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$56,020
Half of Security Guards in North Carolina earn more than $35,010. The top 10% make $56,020 or more, while entry-level workers start around $29,260.
Security Guards in North Carolina: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- North Carolina ranks 40th of 51 states for Security Guards pay, at $39,090 per year (8.0% below the U.S. average of $42,470).
- 29,830 people work as Security Guards in North Carolina — 2.3% of all U.S. Security Guards jobs.
- Location quotient 0.73: Security Guards jobs are less concentrated in North Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $29,260; the top 10% earn over $56,020.
- Hourly equivalent: $18.79 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $60,720.
- Among public safety jobs in North Carolina, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($91,280).
Security Guards Job Market in North Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation
North Carolina's key industries are Technology, Finance, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Security Guards here earn $39,090 on average, placing the state 40th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.91 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Carolina salary of $39,090 is roughly equivalent to $42,956 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Pennsylvania ($40,180), Ohio ($39,950), Nevada ($39,770) are the closest alternatives for Security Guards weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Public Safety Jobs in North Carolina
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $91,280/yr North Carolina +133.5% vs this role
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators $76,020/yr North Carolina +94.5% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $69,510/yr North Carolina +77.8% vs this role
- Police Officers $61,390/yr North Carolina +57.0% vs this role
- Private Detectives and Investigators $61,350/yr North Carolina +56.9% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $51,390/yr North Carolina +31.5% vs this role
- Firefighters $43,060/yr North Carolina +10.2% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Security Guards salary in North Carolina?
The average Security Guards salary in North Carolina is $39,090 per year (median $35,010), which is 8.0% below the national average of $42,470.
How does North Carolina rank for Security Guards pay?
North Carolina ranks 40th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($60,720/yr).
How much do entry-level Security Guards make in North Carolina?
The lowest-paid 10% of Security Guards in North Carolina earn about $29,260 per year and the 25th percentile is $30,640.
How much do Security Guards make per hour in North Carolina?
About $18.79 per hour, based on the $39,090 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Security Guards work in North Carolina?
BLS counts 29,830 Security Guards jobs in North Carolina (OEWS May 2025).
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