SOC 49-2098 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers — Columbia
Columbia, SC · 5 metro areas compared
The median wage for Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers in Columbia, SC is $60,310 per year, close to the national median of $60,070 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers in Columbia, SC is $60,310 per year, close to the national median of $60,070 for the same occupation. Pay ranges from under $36,080 at the tenth percentile to more than $76,180 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $44,040 to $63,020.
Employment stands at 320, or 0.8 jobs per thousand held locally. Spartanburg leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $63,340. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 219th of 511 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,080 | −39.9% |
| 25th | $44,040 | −26.7% |
| Median (50th) | $60,310 | +0.4% |
| 75th | $63,020 | +4.9% |
| 90th | $76,180 | +26.8% |
| Mean | $56,810 | −5.4% |
Other metro areas in South Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spartanburg | $63,340 | 60 | |
| 2 | Charleston | $61,960 | 180 | |
| 3 | Greenville | $60,390 | 160 | |
| 4 | Hilton Head Island | $57,600 | 30 | |
| 5 | Myrtle Beach | $51,140 | 90 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Columbia run 6.3% below the national average, so the median of $60,310 goes as far as $64,365 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 7.1% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$60,310as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$64,365US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $60,310 a year, 0.4% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,080 to $76,180 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 320 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Spartanburg, at $63,340.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers in Columbia, SC?
The median annual wage is $60,310, or $29.00 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $60,070, so pay in Columbia, SC is 0.4% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Columbia, SC earns more than $76,180 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,080 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Spartanburg, at $63,340 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 320 jobs in this occupation in Columbia, SC. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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