Security Guards Salary in Charlotte, NC-SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

Median annual salary $36,740 -4.2% vs national
Median hourly $17.66
10th percentile $29,570
90th percentile $49,970
Employed locally 11,620
National median $38,370

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Security Guards
in
Charlotte, NC-SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,570
    25th
    $30,300
    50th (median)
    $36,740
    75th
    $46,220
    90th
    $49,970

    Charlotte economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,201 2023 • Census ACS
    Security Guards salary vs area income 46% Median Security Guards salary is 54% 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
    North Northeastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area (noncontiguous) $48,270
    Anchorage, AK $48,260
    Greenville, NC $47,050
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $46,740
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $44,960
    Lynchburg, VA $42,890

    Related occupations in Charlotte, NC-SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$65,230
    Firefighters$37,530
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$27,360
    Correctional Officers and Jailers$53,010
    First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers$62,000
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$74,590

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Security Guards make per hour in Charlotte?

    The median hourly wage for Security Guards in Charlotte, NC-SC is $17.66, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.47 or more per hour.

    Is Charlotte above or below average for Security Guards salaries?

    The median Security Guards salary in Charlotte, NC-SC is 4.2% 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 Charlotte?

    Entry-level Security Guards (10th percentile) earn around $29,570 per year in Charlotte, NC-SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $30,300.