Security Guards Salary in Columbia, SC
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, SC
Median annual salary
$35,830
-6.6% vs national
Median hourly
$17.23
10th percentile
$27,340
90th percentile
$38,940
Employed locally
5,030
National median
$38,370
Compare Security Guards salary & buying power
Type a city below to see how Columbia, SC stacks up on salary and cost of living.
Security Guards
in
Columbia, SC
vs
Salary percentile breakdown
Columbia economic context
Unemployment rate
4.00%
2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
Median household income
$66,146
2023 • Census ACS
Security Guards salary vs area income
54%
Median Security Guards salary is 46% below the area median household income
Frequently asked questions
How much do Security Guards make per hour in Columbia?
The median hourly wage for Security Guards in Columbia, SC is $17.23, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.01 or more per hour.
Is Columbia above or below average for Security Guards salaries?
The median Security Guards salary in Columbia, SC is 6.6% 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 Columbia?
Entry-level Security Guards (10th percentile) earn around $27,340 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,760.