Security Guard salary in Massachusetts
Security Guards in Massachusetts earn a median of $44,670 a year ($21.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 23,930 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,800 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $38,020. Massachusetts ranks 8th of 51 states for security guards pay. There are 6.6 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $44,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,830 | $16.75 |
| 25th percentile | $37,720 | $18.13 |
| Median | $44,670 | $21.48 |
| 75th percentile | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,800 | $26.83 |
| Average (mean) | $44,760 | $21.52 |
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 | $3,722.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,861.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,718.08 |
| Weekly | $859.04 |
| Hourly | $21.48 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Security Guard salary in cities in Massachusetts
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,020 | $17.32 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $43,460 | $20.89 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $73,510 | $35.34 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $50,040 | $24.06 |
| Animal Control Worker | $60,930 | $29.29 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $50,240 | $24.15 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $61,770 | $29.70 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $78,940 | $37.95 |
| Firefighter | $72,800 | $35.00 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $86,310 | $41.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $104,320 | $50.15 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $96,600 | $46.44 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $57,890 | $27.83 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for security guards in Massachusetts is $44,670 a year, or $21.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of security guards in Massachusetts earn at least $55,800 a year. The top 25% earn $45,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,830 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $37,720 or less.
How many security guards work in Massachusetts?
About 23,930 security guards are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.