How much does a security guard make in Charleston?
$36,620a year
Median yearly pay for security guards in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area. That is $17.61 an hour or $3,052 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.61
- Vs. national median
- -4%
- Rank among cities
- 209 of 389
- Jobs in the area
- 2,190
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $29,950Median: $36,620Highest 10%: $52,380
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,950 | $14.40 | |
| 25th | $34,370 | $16.52 | |
| Median | $36,620 | $17.61 | |
| 75th | $42,410 | $20.39 | |
| 90th | $52,380 | $25.18 |
Other cities in South Carolina
Median yearly pay for security guards.
| Florence, SC | $39,060 |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $36,810 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $36,350 |
| Greenville, SC | $35,760 |
| Columbia, SC | $35,140 |
| Charlotte, NC | $35,010 |
| Sumter, SC | $34,660 |
| Augusta, GA | $33,450 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $31,480 |
Related jobs in Charleston
Same field, median yearly pay.
Salaries for every job in Charleston, SCFrequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make an hour in Charleston?
The median hourly pay in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $17.61 ($36,620 a year).
Do security guards make more in Charleston than the national average?
No: $36,620 against $38,020 nationally, 4% less.
How does Charleston compare with the rest of South Carolina?
The median in South Carolina is $35,460, so Charleston pays 3% more.
Where does Charleston rank for security guard pay?
209 of 389 metro areas with data.
How much does a security guard make starting out in Charleston?
The lowest-paid 10% make $29,950 or less a year; the top 10% make $52,380 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.