South Carolina Median
$35,460
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.05
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-7% vs US median
US median $38,020
State Rank
#44 of 51
16,610 employed here
How much does a Security Guard make in South Carolina?
Security Guards in South Carolina take home a median of $35,460 annually — roughly $17.05 an hour — which runs 7% below the national median of $38,020.
Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $27,420 while the top 10% make $48,850 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $30,130 and $38,220 a year.
Security Guard salary range in South Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,420 | $13.18 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $30,130 | $14.49 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $35,460 | $17.05 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $38,220 | $18.38 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,850 | $23.49 |
|
How South Carolina compares
South Carolina ranks 44th out of 51 states and territories for Security Guard pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Security Guard salary in other states
District of Columbia $64,210Alaska $47,480Washington $47,100Vermont $45,550Oregon $45,500New Hampshire $45,200Colorado $45,150Massachusetts $44,670New York $44,240Virginia $43,640Minnesota $43,380New Mexico $43,320California $43,240Hawaii $42,820Utah $42,700Missouri $40,390Connecticut $39,920Nebraska $39,840Illinois $39,490North Dakota $39,310Wyoming $39,200Maine $39,100New Jersey $38,880Montana $38,480Idaho $38,300Arizona $38,290Maryland $38,220Wisconsin $37,440Nevada $37,310South Dakota $37,150Iowa $37,080Kansas $37,080Michigan $37,080Pennsylvania $37,050Rhode Island $36,940Indiana $36,490Delaware $36,360Oklahoma $36,270Tennessee $36,000Texas $35,980Florida $35,900Arkansas $35,770Ohio $35,770Kentucky $35,420North Carolina $35,010Georgia $34,980Alabama $33,720Louisiana $32,240Mississippi $29,180West Virginia $28,800
Working as a Security Guard in South Carolina
Nationally, about 1,283,000 people work as Security Guards in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare South Carolina pay ($35,460) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Security Guard make in South Carolina?
The median Security Guard salary in South Carolina is $35,460 per year, or about $17.05 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $27,420 at the entry level to $48,850 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Security Guards about 7% less than the national median of $38,020. South Carolina ranks 44th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Security Guards?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $35,460 a year. About 16,610 Security Guards are employed in South Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Security Guard salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.