Security Guards Salary in Massachusetts
Security Guards in Massachusetts earn a median annual wage of $44,670 —17.5% above the national median of $38,020. That ranks MA #8 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.80× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Massachusetts.
Highest-paying states for security guards
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Massachusetts is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $64,210 | $30.87 | 15,880 | 2.74 |
| 2 | Alaska | $47,480 | $22.83 | 2,100 | 0.78 |
| 3 | Washington | $47,100 | $22.64 | 25,800 | 0.88 |
| 4 | Vermont | $45,550 | $21.90 | 930 | 0.37 |
| 5 | Oregon | $45,500 | $21.88 | 12,200 | 0.75 |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $45,200 | $21.73 | 2,450 | 0.43 |
| 7 | Colorado | $45,150 | $21.71 | 16,890 | 0.71 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $44,670 | $21.48 | 23,930 | 0.80 |
| 9 | New York | $44,240 | $21.27 | 134,700 | 1.68 |
| 10 | Virginia | $43,640 | $20.98 | 34,870 | 1.03 |
Related occupations in Massachusetts
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Massachusetts.
| Occupation | Massachusetts median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $78,940 | $76,210 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $86,310 | $58,940 |
| Firefighters | $72,800 | $59,280 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $36,650 | $33,580 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $104,320 | $106,040 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $110,150 | $93,790 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do security guards make in Massachusetts?
The median annual wage for security guards in Massachusetts is $44,670, or $21.48 per hour. That is 17.5% above the national median of $38,020.
What is the entry-level security guards salary in Massachusetts?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $34,830 per year ($16.75/hour). The 25th percentile is $37,720.
How many people work as security guards in Massachusetts?
About 23,930 people work in this occupation in Massachusetts, or 6.6 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Massachusetts a good state for security guards?
Massachusetts ranks #8 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.80x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in Massachusetts.
Which state pays security guards the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage at $64,210 per year, followed by Alaska ($47,480) and Washington ($47,100).