Here are 7 of the most dangerous — but highest-paying — open jobs in SC right now
If you are skilled in security escorts, heavy construction or diving work, you may be eligible for some of the most dangerous, but high-paying jobs listed in South Carolina in April.
According to job-posting site indeed.com, the 7 highest-paying open jobs in the state that are also listed in the site’s “dangerous” category all pay more than $55,000 a year. Indeed describes a dangerous job as “one that exposes employees to some type of major risk — a dangerous job may involve heavy machinery, harmful substances, distracted drivers or dangerous weather.”
The South Carolina jobs listed are mostly a mix of heavy construction and auto mechanic work, high-level security escort services and diving.
Fatal work injury stats in SC
Below is fatal work injury data for South Carolina from 2023, the latest available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- There were 112 fatal work injuries in South Carolina in 2023.
- Transportation incidents (44) were the most frequent type of fatal event in South Carolina, accounting for 39% of all fatal work injuries in the state. The share is 37% nationally.
- Exposure to harmful substances or environments (23) accounted for 21% of South Carolina workplace fatalities. The share was 16% nationally.
- The construction sector had the highest number of fatalities at 31.
- Falls, slips and trips resulted in 10 of the 31 construction sector fatalities.
- Wage and salary workers accounted for 89% of workplace fatalities in the state, while self-employed comprised the remaining 11%.
- Males accounted for 88% of work-related fatalities in the state.
- Workers 25-54 years old accounted for 63% of the state’s work-related fatalities, compared to 57% on the national level.
- White, non-Hispanics accounted for 56% of the work-related fatalities in the state.
Most dangerous, high-paying SC jobs
Below is a breakdown of the most dangerous, but highest-paying open jobs in South Carolina posted on indeed.com this week.
Diesel mechanic
Company: Wayne’s Automotive and Towing in Aiken
Pay: $23-$33 an hour
The job requires someone to perform repairs on mixed company fleet vehicles, including light-duty and heavy-duty trucks. The person hired must be experienced in vehicle engine inspection, vehicle computer and electronic systems inspection to repair, providing repair cost estimates and maintaining equipment and tools.
Cleared security escort
Company: Paragon Systems in Aiken
Pay: $35.25 an hour
To apply for this job, you must have both DOE Q clearance and a DOE HRP certification. Paragon Systems needs someone to join its team onsite in Aiken to provide escort support for visitors without security clearance to maintain the integrity of classified facilities. Responsibilities include maintaining continuous visual, audible and/or physical control of uncleared personnel, ensuring all non-cleared visitors and subcontractors are working to proper site security plans, checking identifications, reacting to all alarms and emergencies.
Automotive technician/mechanic
Company: Baker Motor Company in Charleston
Pay: Up to $140,000 a year
The company is looking for a skilled auto mechanic to maintain and repair vehicles. The person hired will be responsible for troubleshooting issues and fixing them. You must be well-versed in complex mechanical or electrical systems of vehicles and be a good communicator.
Dive supervisor
Company: Mainstream Commercial Divers in North Charleston
Pay: Over $55,000 a year
The dive supervisor is the person in charge of each assigned dive operation. The person hired is responsible for the planning and execution of the diving operation, which includes the safety and health of the entire dive team. Other responsibilities include execution of field work such as underwater construction, maintenance, repairs and inspections.
Industrial environmental supervisor
Company: Moran Environmental Recovery in Hanahan
Pay: Over $55,000
The environmental supervisor must be able to work in compliance on remediation and industrial maintenance projects. Responsibilities include field work in remediation and industrial maintenance projects, directing and supervising workers, overseeing work safety, maintaining divers’ logs and more.
Maritime training instructor
Company: Sea School in Charleston
Pay: $25-$30 an hour
The person hired must have at least one year of shipboard experience as a deck officer on vessels at least 200 GRT/500 GT or other shipboard experience in a capacity with responsibility for operation, testing and maintenance of survival equipment, conducting abandon ship drills and the training of passengers and/or crew in lifesaving equipment and procedures. You can also have at least one year of experience as a deck or engineering officer on vessels of at least 200 GRT/500 GT or equivalent military damage control experience or experience as a professional firefighter.
Animal care supervisor
Company: City of Greenville
Pay: $64,459-$83,782
Working at the Greenville Zoo, the person hired would act as a lead resource regarding the animals, enclosures, apparatus and tools in those areas. You would lead projects and oversee training and animal enrichment. You would also ensure animal breeding recommendations, animal transfers, prepare animal diets and present food to animals, clean and disinfect enclosures and perform educational and public outreach activities.
This story was originally published April 26, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
