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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Security Engineer in South Carolina is $83,262 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.
However, a Security Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Security Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $93,226 | $7,769 | $1,793 | $45 |
| Average | $83,262 | $6,939 | $1,601 | $40 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,271 | $6,023 | $1,390 | $35 |
Abacus Technology Corporation - Shaw Heights, SC
United Global Technologies - Columbia, SC
Eliassen Group - Aiken, SC
thestahlcompanies - Charleston, SC
A Security Engineer'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Security Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Security ... Level Security Engineer | $82,530 |
| Informati... Level Security Engineer | $82,306 |
| Informati... Level Security Engineer | $125,205 |
| Informati... Level Security Engineer | $138,095 |
| Informati... Level Security Engineer | $174,642 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Security Engineers. 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 Security Engineer 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 Internet and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Security Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Security Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet | $108,241 | $52.0 | 30% |
| Insurance | $104,078 | $50.0 | 25% |
| Biotechnology | $99,915 | $48.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $99,915 | $48.0 | 20% |
| Healthcare | $95,752 | $46.0 | 15% |
Understanding how a Security Engineer'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 | $93,226 | $7,769 | $1,793 | $45 |
| Average | $83,262 | $6,939 | $1,601 | $40 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,271 | $6,023 | $1,390 | $35 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Security Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Eliassen Group
Aiken, SC
Eliassen Group | Aiken, SC
Job Description. Job Description. Description. On site (100%) in Aiken, SC. Our client seeks an Associate Security Engineer, Cyber Monitoring for a role on... more
6 Days Ago
thestahlcompanies
Charleston, SC
thestahlcompanies | Charleston, SC
thestahlcompanies is seeking an Engineer/Scientist 5 – Principal Cyber Security Engineer to lead cybersecurity engineering efforts for enterprise systems i... more
3 Days Ago
Cambridge International Systems Inc
Charleston, SC
Cambridge International Systems Inc | Charleston, SC
Job Description. Job Description. Cyber Security Engineer – TS/SCI Clearance | Charleston, SC. Cambridge International Systems, Inc. . Join a dynamic globa... more
3 Days Ago
Scientific Research
Charleston, SC
Scientific Research | Charleston, SC
Description Developing comprehensive supportability procedures and strategic plans aligned with DoD instruction 5000.2, focusing on ten Integrated Logistic... more
6 Days Ago
Scientific Research
Charleston, SC
Scientific Research | Charleston, SC
Description Overseeing end-to-end logistical operations including inventory control, transportation planning, and distribution coordination to ensure missi... more
6 Days Ago
SimVentions, Inc
CHAPTICO, MD
SimVentions, Inc | CHAPTICO, MD
SimVentions, Inc., a mission-focused technology solutions company supporting U.S. Department of Defense and federal agencies, is seeking a Security Enginee... more
3 Days Ago
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