Security Guards pay in Boston-Cambridge-Newton
In Boston-Cambridge-Newton (MA), the median pay for security guards is $21.63 an hour ($44,990 a year). About 19,250 people work in this job there.
That is 18% higher than the U.S. median ($38,020). It is about the same as the Massachusetts median ($44,670).
Pay range for security guards in Boston-Cambridge-Newton (MA)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $17.20 | $35,780 |
| 25% of workers | $18.68 | $38,860 |
| Half of workers (median) | $21.63 | $44,990 |
| 75% of workers | $22.32 | $46,420 |
| 90% of workers | $27.14 | $56,450 |
Security Guards pay in Massachusetts metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | $45,230 | 300 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton (this page) | $44,990 | 19,250 |
| Pittsfield | $43,860 | 270 |
| Springfield | $40,340 | 1,310 |
| Worcester | $38,430 | 1,660 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton | $37,600 | 250 |
Massachusetts unemployment rate: 4.3% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for security guards
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 3 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +0.9% over ten years, little or no change · about 156,000 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Boston-Cambridge-Newton (MA)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $78,180 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $89,060 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $37,180 |
| Public Safety Telecommunicators | $62,660 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $57,890 |
| Transportation Security Screeners | $76,130 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $44,840 |
| School Bus Monitors | $38,470 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.