Security Guards pay in Columbia
In Columbia (SC), the median pay for security guards is $16.90 an hour ($35,140 a year). About 5,290 people work in this job there.
That is 8% lower than the U.S. median ($38,020). It is about the same as the South Carolina median ($35,460).
Pay range for security guards in Columbia (SC)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $13.52 | $28,120 |
| 25% of workers | $14.49 | $30,130 |
| Half of workers (median) | $16.90 | $35,140 |
| 75% of workers | $18.22 | $37,900 |
| 90% of workers | $22.01 | $45,790 |
Security Guards pay in South Carolina metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Florence | $39,060 | 610 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal | $36,810 | 680 |
| Charleston-North Charleston | $36,620 | 2,190 |
| Spartanburg | $36,350 | 770 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer | $35,760 | 3,000 |
| Columbia (this page) | $35,140 | 5,290 |
| Sumter | $34,660 | 90 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach | $31,480 | 1,020 |
South Carolina unemployment rate: 4.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for security guards
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 3 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +0.9% over ten years, little or no change · about 156,000 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Columbia (SC)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,260 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $44,860 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.