SOC 33-9032 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Security Guards — Northwestern South Carolina
Northwestern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area · 8 metro areas compared
The median wage for Security Guards in Northwestern South Carolina, SC is $61,530 per year, well above the national median of $38,020.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Security Guards in Northwestern South Carolina, SC is $61,530 per year, well above the national median of $38,020. The gap of 61.8% is among the widest recorded for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $36,810 and $76,440. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $29,640 and the ninetieth at $76,440.
Employment stands at 360, or 3.9 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Florence records the highest median at $39,060. Of the 313 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 94th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,640 | −22.0% |
| 25th | $36,810 | −3.2% |
| Median (50th) | $61,530 | +61.8% |
| 75th | $76,440 | +101.1% |
| 90th | $76,440 | +101.1% |
| Mean | $56,520 | +48.7% |
Other metro areas in South Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florence | $39,060 | 610 | |
| 2 | Hilton Head Island | $36,810 | 680 | |
| 3 | Charleston | $36,620 | 2,190 | |
| 4 | Spartanburg | $36,350 | 770 | |
| 5 | Greenville | $35,760 | 3,000 | |
| 6 | Columbia | $35,140 | 5,290 | |
| 7 | Sumter | $34,660 | 90 | |
| 8 | Myrtle Beach | $31,480 | 1,020 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northwestern South Carolina run 6.3% below the national average, so the median of $61,530 goes as far as $65,667 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 72.7% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$61,530as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$65,667US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $61,530 a year, 61.8% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $29,640 to $76,440 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 360 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Florence, at $39,060.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Security Guards in Northwestern South Carolina, SC?
The median annual wage is $61,530, or $29.58 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 $38,020, so pay in Northwestern South Carolina, SC is 61.8% 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 Northwestern South Carolina, SC earns more than $76,440 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $29,640 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 Florence, at $39,060 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 360 jobs in this occupation in Northwestern South Carolina, 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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