Security Guard salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Security Guards in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median of $44,990 a year ($21.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 19,250 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,450 for the top 10%. That is 18% higher than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 1% higher than the Massachusetts statewide median of $44,670. There are 7.1 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $45,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,780 | $17.20 |
| 25th percentile | $38,860 | $18.68 |
| Median | $44,990 | $21.63 |
| 75th percentile | $46,420 | $22.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,450 | $27.14 |
| Average (mean) | $45,640 | $21.94 |
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 | $3,749.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,874.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,730.38 |
| Weekly | $865.19 |
| Hourly | $21.63 |
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 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | $44,520 | 810 |
| 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 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $37,600 | 250 |
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 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $37,180 | $17.88 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $76,130 | $36.60 |
| School Bus Monitor | $38,470 | $18.50 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $44,840 | $21.56 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $52,170 | $25.08 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $60,910 | $29.29 |
| Animal Control Worker | $63,140 | $30.36 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $78,180 | $37.59 |
| Firefighter | $73,990 | $35.57 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $89,060 | $42.82 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $108,190 | $52.01 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $96,740 | $46.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $57,890 | $27.83 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $110,150 | $52.96 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
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 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median salary for security guards in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $44,990 a year, or $21.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The top 10% of security guards in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn at least $56,450 a year. The top 25% earn $46,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,780 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $38,860 or less.
How many security guards work in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
About 19,250 security guards are employed in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, not counting the self-employed.