Security Guards Salary in Charleston, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charleston-North Charleston, SC

Median annual salary $36,150 -5.8% vs national
Median hourly $17.38
10th percentile $28,670
90th percentile $49,620
Employed locally 2,340
National median $38,370

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Security Guards
in
Charleston, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $28,670
    25th
    $33,280
    50th (median)
    $36,150
    75th
    $42,700
    90th
    $49,620

    Charleston economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,272 2023 • Census ACS
    Security Guards salary vs area income 44% Median Security Guards salary is 56% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Security Guards

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $87,770
    Idaho Falls, ID $79,470
    District of Columbia $63,130
    Northwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area $56,380
    Fairbanks-College, AK $52,850
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $51,320

    Nearby metros — Security Guards salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $46,740
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $43,040
    South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $40,460
    Florence, SC $39,450
    Wisconsin $39,110
    Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ $38,090

    Related occupations in Charleston, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $60,250
    Firefighters $46,470
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $49,900
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $34,510
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $82,620
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers $74,150

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Security Guards make per hour in Charleston?

    The median hourly wage for Security Guards in Charleston, SC is $17.38, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $25.19 or more per hour.

    Is Charleston above or below average for Security Guards salaries?

    The median Security Guards salary in Charleston, SC is 5.8% below the national median of $38,370. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Security Guards in Charleston?

    Entry-level Security Guards (10th percentile) earn around $28,670 per year in Charleston, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $33,280.