North Carolina ranks 44th of 51 states and D.C. for security guards pay, trailing top-paying District of Columbia ($63,130) by $27,230 — a 76% gap.
Security Guards are less concentrated in North Carolina than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.74 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.35× below the national share.
North Carolina employs roughly 2.4% of all security guards in the country (29,360 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $28,930 | $13.91 |
| 25th percentile | $30,420 | $14.63 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $35,900 | $17.26 |
| 75th percentile | $45,970 | $22.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,010 | $27.89 |
| Mean (average) | $40,600 | $19.52 |
How North Carolina Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina (current) | $35,900 | n/a |
| District of Columbia | $63,130 | +76% |
| Alaska | $48,620 | +35% |
| Washington | $48,010 | +34% |
| Colorado | $46,080 | +28% |
| Minnesota | $46,020 | +28% |
| Massachusetts | $44,950 | +25% |
| New Hampshire | $44,510 | +24% |
| California | $43,930 | +22% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in North Carolina
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $36,080 | 4,440 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $36,080 | 113,330 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $36,140 | 8,720 |
| Parts Salespersons | $35,630 | 9,730 |
| Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service | $36,340 | 1,450 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $35,400 | 25,050 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Security Guards salary in North Carolina?
The mean security guards salary in North Carolina is $40,600 per year. The median (middle) salary is $35,900 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Security Guards in North Carolina?
Entry-level security guardss (10th percentile) in North Carolina typically earn around $28,930 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $30,420 per year.
What is the highest Security Guards salary in North Carolina?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in North Carolina make approximately $58,010 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $45,970 per year.
How does the North Carolina Security Guards salary compare to the national average?
The median security guards salary in North Carolina is $35,900, which is -6% below national average of $38,370.