Security Guard Salary in Columbia, SC
Security Guards in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median $35,140 a year — 8% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,464 take-home, or $2,455 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Columbia, SC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,037
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,179
- Medicare (1.45%)$510
- South Carolina income tax$951
- Take-home pay$29,464
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Security Guard pay by experience in Columbia, SC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,120 | $13.52 | $24,237 | $2,020 |
| 25th percentile | $30,130 | $14.49 | $25,739 | $2,145 |
| Median (50th) | $35,140 | $16.89 | $29,464 | $2,455 |
| 75th percentile | $37,900 | $18.22 | $31,516 | $2,626 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,790 | $22.01 | $37,382 | $3,115 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, South Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $35,140 buys in Columbia, SC
Prices in Columbia, SC are 6.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 21% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $29,464 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,457 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Columbia, SC has 1.6× the national concentration of security guard jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Columbia, SC ranks #43 of 77 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albuquerque, NM | $44,780 | $37,202 | $38,937 |
| 2 | Omaha, NE | $42,370 | $35,176 | $38,272 |
| 3 | Kansas City, MO | $41,810 | $34,747 | $37,546 |
| 4 | St. Louis, MO | $42,600 | $35,344 | $37,170 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $47,490 | $40,338 | $36,297 |
| 6 | Rochester, NY | $42,860 | $34,901 | $35,967 |
| 7 | Salt Lake City, UT | $43,260 | $35,959 | $35,649 |
| 8 | Albany, NY | $43,250 | $35,193 | $35,346 |
| 43 | Columbia, SC | $35,140 | $29,464 | $31,457 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 77 metros →
About the job: security guards
Guard, patrol, or monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules. May operate x-ray and metal detector equipment.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +0.9% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Security Guard salaries elsewhere in South Carolina
- Greenville, SC — $35,760
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Columbia, SC?
The median security guard salary in the Columbia, SC metro area is $35,140 a year, or about $16.89 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $30,130 and $37,900.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Columbia, SC?
On the median $35,140 salary, a single filer living in South Carolina takes home about $29,464 a year ($2,455 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $951 in South Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Columbia, SC a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 8% below the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 6.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,457 would in a typical U.S. city. Columbia, SC ranks #43 of 77 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Columbia, SC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Columbia, SC is $1,139 a month ($1,255 for two bedrooms) — 46% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $59,260