Security Guards Pay Range in South Carolina
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$27,420
- 25th Percentile — Junior$30,130
- 50th Percentile — Median$35,460
- 75th Percentile — Senior$38,220
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$48,850
Half of Security Guards in South Carolina earn more than $35,460. The top 10% make $48,850 or more, while entry-level workers start around $27,420.
Security Guards in South Carolina: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Carolina ranks 47th of 51 states for Security Guards pay, at $37,060 per year (12.7% below the U.S. average of $42,470).
- 16,610 people work as Security Guards in South Carolina — 1.3% of all U.S. Security Guards jobs.
- Location quotient 0.87: Security Guards jobs are less concentrated in South Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $27,420; the top 10% earn over $48,850.
- Hourly equivalent: $17.82 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $60,720.
- Among public safety jobs in South Carolina, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($81,260).
Security Guards Job Market in South Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation
South Carolina's key industries are Automotive, Tourism, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated strong. Security Guards here earn $37,060 on average, placing the state 47th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Carolina salary of $37,060 is roughly equivalent to $42,114 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Tennessee ($38,500), Arkansas ($38,300), Georgia ($37,890) 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 South Carolina
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $81,260/yr South Carolina +119.3% vs this role
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators $77,020/yr South Carolina +107.8% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $70,880/yr South Carolina +91.3% vs this role
- Police Officers $60,420/yr South Carolina +63.0% vs this role
- Private Detectives and Investigators $58,980/yr South Carolina +59.1% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $51,520/yr South Carolina +39.0% vs this role
- Firefighters $43,900/yr South Carolina +18.5% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Security Guards salary in South Carolina?
The average Security Guards salary in South Carolina is $37,060 per year (median $35,460), which is 12.7% below the national average of $42,470.
How does South Carolina rank for Security Guards pay?
South Carolina ranks 47th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($60,720/yr).
How much do entry-level Security Guards make in South Carolina?
The lowest-paid 10% of Security Guards in South Carolina earn about $27,420 per year and the 25th percentile is $30,130.
How much do Security Guards make per hour in South Carolina?
About $17.82 per hour, based on the $37,060 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Security Guards work in South Carolina?
BLS counts 16,610 Security Guards jobs in South Carolina (OEWS May 2025).
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