Security Guard salary in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA
Security Guards in the Amherst Town-Northampton, MA metro area earn a median of $37,600 a year ($18.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,810 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 16% lower than the Massachusetts statewide median of $44,670. There are 3.8 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.46). The average (mean) salary is $40,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,990 | $16.34 |
| 25th percentile | $34,250 | $16.47 |
| Median | $37,600 | $18.08 |
| 75th percentile | $44,640 | $21.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,810 | $23.46 |
| Average (mean) | $40,880 | $19.65 |
Half of security guards earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,133.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,566.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,446.15 |
| Weekly | $723.08 |
| Hourly | $18.08 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Security Guard salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town, MA | $45,230 | 300 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $44,990 | 19,250 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $43,860 | 270 |
| Springfield, MA | $40,340 | 1,310 |
| Worcester, MA | $38,430 | 1,660 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $38,120 | 4,270 |
Highest-paying states for security guards
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $64,210 |
| Alaska | $47,480 |
| Washington | $47,100 |
| Vermont | $45,550 |
| Oregon | $45,500 |
| New Hampshire | $45,200 |
| Colorado | $45,150 |
| Massachusetts | $44,670 |
| New York | $44,240 |
| Virginia | $43,640 |
See Security Guard pay in every state or the Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $35,860 | $17.24 |
| School Bus Monitor | $35,980 | $17.30 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $73,480 | $35.33 |
| Firefighter | $59,270 | $28.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $98,530 | $47.37 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $83,790 | $40.28 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-9032. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?
The median salary for security guards in the Amherst Town-Northampton, MA metro area is $37,600 a year, or $18.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?
The top 10% of security guards in the Amherst Town-Northampton, MA metro area earn at least $48,810 a year. The top 25% earn $44,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,990 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $34,250 or less.
How many security guards work in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?
About 250 security guards are employed in the Amherst Town-Northampton, MA metro area, not counting the self-employed.