Security Guard salary in Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC
Security Guards in the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC metro area earn a median of $36,810 a year ($17.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 680 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,250 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 4% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $35,460. There are 8.3 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $39,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,940 | $13.92 |
| 25th percentile | $34,200 | $16.44 |
| Median | $36,810 | $17.70 |
| 75th percentile | $45,530 | $21.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| Average (mean) | $39,020 | $18.76 |
Half of security guards earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,067.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,533.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,415.77 |
| Weekly | $707.88 |
| Hourly | $17.70 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,810 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Security Guard salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Florence, SC | $39,060 | 610 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $36,620 | 2,190 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $36,350 | 770 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $35,760 | 3,000 |
| Columbia, SC | $35,140 | 5,290 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $35,010 | 12,020 |
| Sumter, SC | $34,660 | 90 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $33,450 | 3,370 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $31,480 | 1,020 |
Highest-paying states for security guards
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $64,210 |
| Alaska | $47,480 |
| Washington | $47,100 |
| Vermont | $45,550 |
| Oregon | $45,500 |
| New Hampshire | $45,200 |
| Colorado | $45,150 |
| Massachusetts | $44,670 |
| New York | $44,240 |
| Virginia | $43,640 |
See Security Guard pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Firefighter | $50,210 | $24.14 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,240 | $28.48 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $57,100 | $27.45 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $83,780 | $40.28 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $104,880 | $50.42 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-9032. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC?
The median salary for security guards in the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC metro area is $36,810 a year, or $17.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC?
The top 10% of security guards in the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC metro area earn at least $48,250 a year. The top 25% earn $45,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,940 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $34,200 or less.
How many security guards work in Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC?
About 680 security guards are employed in the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.