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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Armed Guard in South Carolina is $45,175 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $22.
However, an Armed Guard's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Armed Guard Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $49,358 | $4,113 | $949 | $24 |
| Average | $45,175 | $3,765 | $869 | $22 |
| 25th Percentile | $42,146 | $3,512 | $810 | $20 |
Loomis - Greenville, SC
Brink's, Incorporated - North Charleston, SC
Loomis - Columbia, SC
Loomis - Columbia, SC
An Armed Guard's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Armed Guards. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Armed Guard roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Construction and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Armed Guard positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Armed Guard as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | $58,727 | $28.0 | 30% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $56,468 | $27.0 | 25% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $54,210 | $26.0 | 20% |
| Business Services | $51,951 | $25.0 | 15% |
| Healthcare | $49,692 | $24.0 | 10% |
Understanding how an Armed Guard's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $49,358 | $4,113 | $949 | $24 |
| Average | $45,175 | $3,765 | $869 | $22 |
| 25th Percentile | $42,146 | $3,512 | $810 | $20 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Armed Guard job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Fast Guard Service
Columbia, SC
Fast Guard Service | Columbia, SC
Armed School Safety OfficerPosition Overview:We are seeking a dedicated and vigilant Armed School Safety Officer to join our team. The ideal candidate will... more
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Spartanburg, SC
PalAmerican Security | Spartanburg, SC
PalAmerican Security - - Responsibilities: Maintain the security and safety of the assigned site through regular patrols. Actively enforce rules, regulatio... more
7 Days Ago
PalAmerican Security
Greenville, SC
PalAmerican Security | Greenville, SC
PalAmerican Security - - Responsibilities: Maintain security and safety of the assigned site through regular patrols. Actively enforce rules, regulations, ... more
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Allied Universal
Columbia, SC
Allied Universal | Columbia, SC
Job Description. Job Description. Overview. Allied Universal®, North America’s leading security and facility services company, offers rewarding careers tha... more
6 Days Ago
Ahtna Professional Services Inc
Charleston, SC
Ahtna Professional Services Inc | Charleston, SC
Job Description. Job Description. Summary. Security Guard is able to perform a variety of fixed-post, mobile, or foot patrols while maintaining situational... more
6 Days Ago
Ahtna
Charleston, SC
Ahtna | Charleston, SC
Armed Security Guard - Charleston - APSISecurity Guard is able to perform a variety of fixed-post, mobile, or foot patrols while maintaining situational aw... more
7 Days Ago
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