Security Guards Salary in South Carolina

Security guards in South Carolina earn the most in Spartanburg (average $42,410 a year) and the least in Myrtle Beach ($33,420), across the 8 South Carolina metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the security guards average at $37,060 and the median at $35,460 for 16,610 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $42,470.

Security Guards average salary by city in South Carolina

Spartanburg$42,410
Florence$41,810
Charleston$39,510
Hilton Head Island$39,020
Sumter$38,350
Greenville$36,090
Columbia$36,000
Myrtle Beach$33,420

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
Spartanburg	$42,410	$36,350	$30,870	$35,698	91
Florence	$41,810	$39,060	$29,880	$35,231	87
Charleston	$39,510	$36,620	$34,370	$33,439	101
Hilton Head Island	$39,020	$36,810	$34,200	$33,055	98
Sumter	$38,350	$34,660	$30,490	$32,530	88
Greenville	$36,090	$35,760	$29,940	$30,759	93
Columbia	$36,000	$35,140	$30,130	$30,688	94
Myrtle Beach	$33,420	$31,480	$29,270	$28,666	94

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.

Security Guards salary in other states

Security Guards salary by city and state

More about pay in South Carolina

Sources and how to read this page

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 33-9032.
U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.

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