Security Guards Salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
The median pay for a security guards in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH is $45,300/year ($21.78/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $36K at the entry level to $58K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.27), so that salary is closer to $41,840 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,941/month — about 95.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $45K get you in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
About security guards
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Entry-level security guards (10th percentile) start around $36K. Mid-career wages sit at $45K.Top earners bring in $58K or more - a $21K spread from bottom to top.
Security Guards pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $63K | +65% | 16,160 |
| Alaska | $49K | +27% | 2,050 |
| Washington | $48K | +25% | 24,820 |
| Minnesota | $46K | +20% | 14,030 |
| Massachusetts | $45K | +17% | 24,100 |
| New Hampshire | $45K | +16% | 2,630 |
| California | $44K | +14% | 185,510 |
| Oregon | $44K | +14% | 11,550 |
| Virginia | $43K | +13% | 33,440 |
| Vermont | $43K | +12% | 830 |
| New York | $43K | +11% | 132,140 |
| Utah | $42K | +11% | 7,000 |
| Hawaii | $42K | +9% | 9,790 |
| Maine | $41K | +8% | 1,760 |
| Missouri | $41K | +6% | 19,180 |
Track security guards salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Boston-Cambridge-Newton numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do security guards make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median is $45,300 a year - that works out to about $21.78 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $36,340, and experienced security guards can clear $57,830. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $45K enough to live in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,014/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,941/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 97.6% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a security guards salary go in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
Boston-Cambridge-Newton has a Regional Price Parity of 108.27 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median security guards salary is worth about $41,840 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do security guards get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.