What are the main factors that influence a Guard's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for Guard?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Guard roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

How does experience change A Guard's salary?

A Guard's salary grows with experience: a Guard (0-1 years)earns $41,657, a Security Guard - Armed (3-5 years)earns $51,216, a Security Guard Team Leader (5+ years)earns $63,950,

What are the highest paying states for a Guard?

Guard salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Guard roles are District of Columbia $42,528, California $42,367, Massachusetts $41,802. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Guard roles make?

Salaries for Guard level roles vary by specialization: Fire Guard: $73,713; Traffic Guard: $54,919; Armed Guard: $48,220; Security Guard: $46,740; Turret Guard: $39,318.

Guard Salary in Massachusetts

How much does a Guard make in Massachusetts?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Guard in Massachusetts is $41,802 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $20.

However, a Guard's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

Top Earners (90th percentile): $45,574
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $38,877 to $43,777
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $36,214

10% $36,214

50% (Median) $41,802

90% $45,574

Guard Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$43,777	$3,648	$842	$21
Average	$41,802	$3,484	$804	$20
25th Percentile	$38,877	$3,240	$748	$19

Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

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Key Factors That Influence Guard Salaries

A Guard's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Guard Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Guards. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $42,528.
California: $42,367.
Massachusetts: $41,802.

District of Columbia $42,528 California $42,367 Massachusetts $41,802 Washington $41,649 New Jersey $41,633 Alaska $41,579 Connecticut $41,049 New York $40,834

Hawaii $40,147 Rhode Island $39,824 Maryland $39,605 Minnesota $39,305 Colorado $39,190 Illinois $39,152 Oregon $39,006 Delaware $38,898

New Hampshire $38,831 Virginia $38,679 Pennsylvania $38,238 Nevada $38,015 North Dakota $37,942 Michigan $37,827 Wisconsin $37,784 Vermont $37,700

Texas $37,466 Maine $37,450 Arizona $37,427 Ohio $37,400 Georgia $37,047 Indiana $36,870 Wyoming $36,836 Utah $36,782

Iowa $36,759 Kansas $36,574 Louisiana $36,521 North Carolina $36,501 Missouri $36,494 Florida $36,344 Montana $36,263 Nebraska $36,187

Kentucky $36,144 South Carolina $35,991 Tennessee $35,895 Idaho $35,856 New Mexico $35,576 Oklahoma $35,514 Alabama $35,288 South Dakota $34,907

Arkansas $34,700 West Virginia $34,589 Mississippi $34,254

Top Paying Cities for Guards

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

Agawam: $39,623
Amherst: $39,913
Barre: $40,311

Agawam, MA $39,623

Amherst, MA $39,913

Barre, MA $40,311

Belchertown, MA $39,875

Blandford, MA $39,801

Bondsville, MA $39,882

Brimfield, MA $40,099

Chester, MA $39,636

Chesterfield, MA $39,641

Chicopee, MA $39,618

Cummington, MA $39,534

Easthampton, MA $39,711

East Longmeadow, MA $39,647

East Otis, MA $39,808

Feeding Hills, MA $39,645

Gilbertville, MA $40,202

Goshen, MA $39,637

Granby, MA $39,723

Granville, MA $39,935

Hadley, MA $39,807

Hampden, MA $39,728

Hardwick, MA $40,225

Hatfield, MA $39,814

Haydenville, MA $39,766

Holyoke, MA $39,654

Huntington, MA $39,690

Leeds, MA $39,716

Leverett, MA $39,963

Ludlow, MA $39,691

Monson, MA $39,885

North Amherst, MA $39,886

Northampton, MA $39,743

Florence, MA $39,719

North Hatfield, MA $39,796

Oakham, MA $40,296

Palmer, MA $39,932

Plainfield, MA $39,521

Russell, MA $39,795

Shutesbury, MA $40,024

Southampton, MA $39,690

South Barre, MA $40,295

South Hadley, MA $39,701

Southwick, MA $39,786

Thorndike, MA $39,880

Three Rivers, MA $39,826

Wales, MA $40,063

Ware, MA $40,066

Warren, MA $40,130

West Chesterfield, MA $39,636

Westfield, MA $39,702

West Hatfield, MA $39,774

West Springfield, MA $39,620

West Warren, MA $40,071

Whately, MA $39,798

Wheelwright, MA $40,270

Wilbraham, MA $39,710

Williamsburg, MA $39,683

Woronoco, MA $39,754

Worthington, MA $39,554

Springfield, MA $39,617

Longmeadow, MA $39,630

Indian Orchard, MA $39,634

Pittsfield, MA $39,405

Adams, MA $39,364

Ashley Falls, MA $39,894

Becket, MA $39,516

Berkshire, MA $39,401

Cheshire, MA $39,390

Dalton, MA $39,405

Glendale, MA $39,418

Great Barrington, MA $39,672

Hinsdale, MA $39,436

Housatonic, MA $39,425

Lanesboro, MA $39,374

Lee, MA $39,446

Lenox, MA $39,398

Lenox Dale, MA $39,403

Middlefield, MA $39,469

Mill River, MA $39,796

Monterey, MA $39,665

North Adams, MA $39,344

North Egremont, MA $39,626

Otis, MA $39,700

Richmond, MA $39,363

Sandisfield, MA $39,904

Savoy, MA $39,436

Sheffield, MA $39,829

South Egremont, MA $39,752

Southfield, MA $39,923

South Lee, MA $39,481

Stockbridge, MA $39,398

Tyringham, MA $39,562

West Stockbridge, MA $39,372

Williamstown, MA $39,224

Windsor, MA $39,430

Greenfield, MA $39,859

Ashfield, MA $39,617

Athol, MA $40,329

Bernardston, MA $39,928

Buckland, MA $39,621

Charlemont, MA $39,541

Colrain, MA $39,784

Conway, MA $39,757

Deerfield, MA $39,849

Drury, MA $39,460

Erving, MA $40,068

Heath, MA $39,589

Lake Pleasant, MA $39,990

Millers Falls, MA $40,025

Monroe Bridge, MA $39,400

Montague, MA $39,973

Gill, MA $39,995

New Salem, MA $40,136

Northfield, MA $40,021

Orange, MA $40,194

Petersham, MA $40,302

Rowe, MA $39,480

Royalston, MA $40,223

Shelburne Falls, MA $39,739

South Deerfield, MA $39,826

Sunderland, MA $39,923

Turners Falls, MA $39,968

Warwick, MA $40,043

Wendell, MA $40,081

Wendell Depot, MA $40,094

Fitchburg, MA $40,604

Ashburnham, MA $40,480

Ashby, MA $40,595

Ayer, MA $40,956

Devens, MA $40,863

Baldwinville, MA $40,366

East Templeton, MA $40,409

Gardner, MA $40,454

Westminster, MA $40,457

Groton, MA $40,988

Harvard, MA $40,911

Hubbardston, MA $40,416

Leominster, MA $40,613

Littleton, MA $41,056

Lunenburg, MA $40,742

Pepperell, MA $40,981

Shirley, MA $40,858

Still River, MA $40,810

Templeton, MA $40,407

Townsend, MA $40,831

West Groton, MA $40,913

West Townsend, MA $40,737

Winchendon, MA $40,337

Winchendon Springs, MA $40,373

Auburn, MA $40,250

North Dartmouth, MA $40,489

South Dartmouth, MA $40,492

North Attleboro, MA $40,289

Plainville, MA $40,567

Attleboro Falls, MA $40,346

North Dighton, MA $40,435

Norton, MA $40,977

Raynham, MA $41,195

Raynham Center, MA $41,153

Rehoboth, MA $40,021

Rochester, MA $40,586

Seekonk, MA $39,837

Swansea, MA $40,095

Berkley, MA $40,627

Taunton, MA $40,869

Westport, MA $40,475

Westport Point, MA $40,471

Berlin, MA $40,539

Cataumet, MA $40,676

Blackstone, MA $40,382

Boylston, MA $40,317

Brookfield, MA $40,232

Charlton, MA $40,282

Charlton City, MA $40,283

Charlton Depot, MA $40,283

Clinton, MA $40,485

East Brookfield, MA $40,265

Douglas, MA $40,334

East Princeton, MA $40,417

Fiskdale, MA $40,215

Grafton, MA $40,296

Holden, MA $40,259

Holland, MA $40,149

Jefferson, MA $40,293

Lancaster, MA $40,677

Leicester, MA $40,254

Linwood, MA $40,398

Manchaug, MA $40,304

Millbury, MA $40,253

Millville, MA $40,354

New Braintree, MA $40,254

Northborough, MA $40,378

Northbridge, MA $40,386

North Brookfield, MA $40,267

North Grafton, MA $40,273

North Oxford, MA $40,269

North Uxbridge, MA $40,363

Oxford, MA $40,289

Princeton, MA $40,412

Rochdale, MA $40,257

Rutland, MA $40,318

Shrewsbury, MA $40,259

Southbridge, MA $40,274

South Grafton, MA $40,321

South Lancaster, MA $40,582

Spencer, MA $40,268

Sterling, MA $40,463

Sturbridge, MA $40,245

Upton, MA $40,434

Uxbridge, MA $40,375

Webster, MA $40,320

Dudley, MA $40,306

Westborough, MA $40,411

West Boylston, MA $40,301

West Brookfield, MA $40,189

West Millbury, MA $40,258

Whitinsville, MA $40,373

Sutton, MA $40,300

Worcester, MA $40,243

East Walpole, MA $41,503

Cherry Valley, MA $40,247

Paxton, MA $40,260

Framingham, MA $41,181

Village Of Nagog Woods, MA $41,114

Boxborough, MA $40,982

Acton, MA $41,112

Ashland, MA $40,931

Bedford, MA $41,282

Hanscom Afb, MA $41,508

Bolton, MA $40,749

Carlisle, MA $41,155

Concord, MA $41,258

Fayville, MA $40,855

Holliston, MA $40,920

Hopedale, MA $40,578

Hopkinton, MA $40,627

Hudson, MA $40,808

Marlborough, MA $40,741

Maynard, MA $41,100

Mendon, MA $40,505

Milford, MA $40,645

Natick, MA $41,687

Sherborn, MA $41,402

Southborough, MA $40,736

Foxboro, MA $41,174

Franklin, MA $40,734

Greenbush, MA $41,570

Green Harbor, MA $41,346

Hingham, MA $41,842

Hull, MA $42,263

Humarock, MA $41,397

Mansfield, MA $41,112

Marshfield, MA $41,368

Marshfield Hills, MA $41,437

Medfield, MA $41,484

Medway, MA $40,913

Millis, MA $41,217

Minot, MA $41,570

Norfolk, MA $41,097

North Marshfield, MA $41,346

North Scituate, MA $41,640

Norwell, MA $41,529

Norwood, MA $41,740

Ocean Bluff, MA $41,346

Scituate, MA $41,610

Sharon, MA $41,394

Sheldonville, MA $40,742

South Walpole, MA $41,244

Stoughton, MA $41,426

Walpole, MA $41,404

Westwood, MA $41,982

Wrentham, MA $40,735

Boston, MA $42,682

Roxbury, MA $42,679

Roxbury Crossing, MA $42,679

Dorchester, MA $42,667

Dorchester Center, MA $42,637

Mattapan, MA $42,610

Charlestown, MA $42,676

Jamaica Plain, MA $42,661

Roslindale, MA $42,602

West Roxbury, MA $42,540

Allston, MA $42,669

Brighton, MA $42,648

Hyde Park, MA $42,473

Readville, MA $42,448

Cambridge, MA $42,653

Somerville, MA $42,673

Malden, MA $42,589

Everett, MA $42,649

Chelsea, MA $42,654

Revere, MA $42,588

Winthrop, MA $42,625

Medford, MA $42,608

West Medford, MA $42,573

Quincy, MA $42,331

Melrose, MA $42,455

Stoneham, MA $42,260

Braintree, MA $41,885

Milton, MA $42,398

Milton Village, MA $42,535

Weymouth, MA $41,828

East Weymouth, MA $41,874

South Weymouth, MA $41,529

North Weymouth, MA $42,236

East Boston, MA $42,681

Brockton, MA $41,407

Avon, MA $41,425

Bridgewater, MA $41,314

Bryantville, MA $41,345

Carver, MA $40,921

Duxbury, MA $41,232

East Bridgewater, MA $41,392

Easton, MA $41,398

Elmwood, MA $41,374

Halifax, MA $41,306

Hanover, MA $41,442

Hanson, MA $41,365

Holbrook, MA $41,443

Middleboro, MA $40,870

Manomet, MA $40,991

Lakeville, MA $40,748

Monponsett, MA $41,320

Abington, MA $41,427

North Carver, MA $41,038

North Easton, MA $41,406

North Pembroke, MA $41,375

Pembroke, MA $41,357

Plymouth, MA $40,936

Kingston, MA $41,196

South Carver, MA $40,867

Plympton, MA $41,179

Randolph, MA $41,593

Rockland, MA $41,446

South Easton, MA $41,375

West Bridgewater, MA $41,404

White Horse Beach, MA $41,014

Whitman, MA $41,412

Lexington, MA $41,926

Brookline, MA $42,661

Brookline Village, MA $42,666

Waltham, MA $42,183

North Waltham, MA $42,418

New Town, MA $42,550

Babson Park, MA $42,172

Newton, MA $42,584

Newton Center, MA $42,555

Newtonville, MA $42,527

Newton Highlands, MA $42,519

Newton Lower Falls, MA $42,326

Newton Upper Falls, MA $42,469

West Newton, MA $42,459

Auburndale, MA $42,375

Chestnut Hill, MA $42,632

Waban, MA $42,441

Watertown, MA $42,620

Arlington, MA $42,515

Arlington Heights, MA $42,494

Belmont, MA $42,543

Waverley, MA $42,583

Wellesley Hills, MA $42,171

Wellesley, MA $42,020

Needham, MA $42,253

Weston, MA $41,999

Needham Heights, MA $42,400

Nonantum, MA $42,550

Buzzards Bay, MA $40,774

Lincoln, MA $41,673

Stow, MA $40,956

Sudbury, MA $41,287

Wayland, MA $41,636

Woodville, MA $40,595

Woburn, MA $41,881

Burlington, MA $41,498

Andover, MA $40,660

Billerica, MA $41,150

Chelmsford, MA $41,178

Dracut, MA $41,106

Dunstable, MA $41,089

Haverhill, MA $40,622

Georgetown, MA $40,688

Groveland, MA $40,648

Lawrence, MA $40,573

Methuen, MA $40,580

North Andover, MA $40,622

Lowell, MA $41,183

Merrimac, MA $40,601

North Billerica, MA $41,167

North Chelmsford, MA $41,173

North Reading, MA $41,025

Nutting Lake, MA $41,170

Pinehurst, MA $41,216

Reading, MA $41,424

Tewksbury, MA $41,026

Tyngsboro, MA $41,129

Wakefield, MA $41,932

West Boxford, MA $40,696

Westford, MA $41,132

Wilmington, MA $41,062

Winchester, MA $42,344

Lynn, MA $42,291

Saugus, MA $42,345

Swampscott, MA $42,086

Nahant, MA $42,416

Amesbury, MA $40,578

Beverly, MA $41,337

Boxford, MA $40,679

Byfield, MA $40,714

Danvers, MA $41,256

Essex, MA $41,019

Gloucester, MA $41,064

Hamilton, MA $41,098

Hathorne, MA $41,118

Chilmark, MA $40,620

East Falmouth, MA $40,695

East Sandwich, MA $40,868

East Wareham, MA $40,765

Edgartown, MA $40,747

Falmouth, MA $40,638

Woods Hole, MA $40,556

Menemsha, MA $40,634

Monument Beach, MA $40,704

Nantucket, MA $40,980

North Falmouth, MA $40,652

Oak Bluffs, MA $40,706

Onset, MA $40,714

Pocasset, MA $40,689

Sagamore, MA $40,832

Sagamore Beach, MA $40,851

Sandwich, MA $40,837

Siasconset, MA $40,938

Silver Beach, MA $40,634

Vineyard Haven, MA $40,666

Wareham, MA $40,681

West Chop, MA $40,677

West Falmouth, MA $40,627

West Tisbury, MA $40,655

West Wareham, MA $40,663

Hyannis, MA $41,010

Barnstable, MA $40,920

Brewster, MA $40,977

Centerville, MA $40,906

Chatham, MA $41,004

Cotuit, MA $40,824

Ipswich, MA $40,873

Cummaquid, MA $40,933

Lynnfield, MA $41,570

Manchester, MA $41,267

Marblehead, MA $41,754

Middleton, MA $40,938

Newburyport, MA $40,634

Newbury, MA $40,708

Salisbury, MA $40,548

Peabody, MA $41,632

Prides Crossing, MA $41,362

Rockport, MA $40,981

Rowley, MA $40,778

Salem, MA $41,618

South Hamilton, MA $41,032

Topsfield, MA $40,901

Wenham, MA $41,134

West Newbury, MA $40,648

Accord, MA $41,557

Bellingham, MA $40,567

Brant Rock, MA $41,262

Canton, MA $41,619

Cohasset, MA $41,834

Dedham, MA $42,330

Dover, MA $41,804

East Mansfield, MA $41,274

Dennis, MA $40,967

Dennis Port, MA $41,047

East Dennis, MA $40,936

Eastham, MA $40,921

East Orleans, MA $40,769

Forestdale, MA $40,782

Harwich, MA $41,011

Harwich Port, MA $41,030

Hyannis Port, MA $40,934

Marstons Mills, MA $40,861

Mashpee, MA $40,771

North Chatham, MA $40,996

North Eastham, MA $40,921

North Truro, MA $40,849

Orleans, MA $40,957

Osterville, MA $40,865

Provincetown, MA $40,912

South Chatham, MA $41,014

South Dennis, MA $41,014

South Harwich, MA $41,020

South Orleans, MA $40,970

South Wellfleet, MA $40,835

South Yarmouth, MA $41,037

Truro, MA $40,818

Wellfleet, MA $40,867

West Barnstable, MA $40,913

West Chatham, MA $41,011

West Dennis, MA $41,021

West Harwich, MA $41,031

West Hyannisport, MA $40,958

West Yarmouth, MA $41,004

Yarmouth Port, MA $40,984

Assonet, MA $40,527

Attleboro, MA $40,165

Chartley, MA $41,015

Cuttyhunk, MA $40,538

Dartmouth, MA $40,490

Dighton, MA $40,302

East Freetown, MA $40,535

East Taunton, MA $40,840

Fairhaven, MA $40,490

Fall River, MA $40,420

Somerset, MA $40,223

Marion, MA $40,579

Mattapoisett, MA $40,511

New Bedford, MA $40,489

Acushnet, MA $40,502

Guard Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Guard roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 90% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Guard positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Guard as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Guard

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals	$58,523	$28.0	40%
Biotechnology	$54,343	$26.0	30%
Financial Services	$52,253	$25.0	25%
Aerospace & Defense	$50,163	$24.0	20%
Software & Networking	$50,163	$24.0	20%

Guard Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Guard's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

$38,877

Average $41,802/year

$43,777

$3,240

Average $3,484/month

$3,648

$748

Average $804/week

$842

$19

Average $20/hour

$21

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$43,777	$3,648	$842	$21
Average	$41,802	$3,484	$804	$20
25th Percentile	$38,877	$3,240	$748	$19

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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Guard Salary in Massachusetts

How much does a Guard make in Massachusetts?

Key Factors That Influence Guard Salaries

How Do Guard Salaries Vary from State to State?

Top Paying Cities for Guards

Guard Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

The top paying industries for a Guard

Guard Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Find Your Next Guard Job

For Employees

For Employers

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Guard Salary in Massachusetts

How much does a Guard make in Massachusetts?

Key Factors That Influence Guard Salaries

How Do Guard Salaries Vary from State to State?

Top Paying Cities for Guards

Guard Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

The top paying industries for a Guard

Guard Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Salaries of Jobs related to Guard

Find Your Next Guard Job

For Employees

For Employers

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?