Security Guard Salary in Worcester, MA
Security Guards in the Worcester, MA metro area earn a median $38,430 a year — 1% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,357 take-home, or $2,613 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median security guard salary in Worcester, MA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,432
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,383
- Medicare (1.45%)$557
- Massachusetts income tax$1,702
- Take-home pay$31,357
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.00% state
Security Guard pay by experience in Worcester, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,630 | $16.17 | $27,740 | $2,312 |
| 25th percentile | $35,640 | $17.13 | $29,255 | $2,438 |
| Median (50th) | $38,430 | $18.48 | $31,357 | $2,613 |
| 75th percentile | $45,300 | $21.78 | $36,534 | $3,044 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,210 | $22.70 | $37,973 | $3,164 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $38,430 buys in Worcester, MA
Prices in Worcester, MA are 2.5% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.13× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median security guard's $31,357 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,585 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Security Guard jobs are less concentrated in Worcester, MA than nationally (location quotient 0.58), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for security guards, adjusted for cost of living
Worcester, MA ranks #177 of 224 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Idaho Falls, ID | $78,680 | $61,120 | $64,737 |
| 2 | Kennewick, WA | $54,670 | $46,107 | $46,071 |
| 3 | Lynchburg, VA | $49,480 | $39,906 | $44,656 |
| 4 | Rochester, MN | $47,790 | $38,841 | $42,767 |
| 5 | Albuquerque, NM | $44,780 | $37,202 | $38,937 |
| 6 | Utica, NY | $44,420 | $36,070 | $38,919 |
| 7 | Fayetteville, NC | $42,940 | $35,478 | $38,572 |
| 8 | Omaha, NE | $42,370 | $35,176 | $38,272 |
| 177 | Worcester, MA | $38,430 | $31,357 | $30,585 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 224 metros →
Security Guard salaries elsewhere in Massachusetts
- Springfield, MA — $40,340
- Boston, MA — $44,990
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Worcester, MA?
The median security guard salary in the Worcester, MA metro area is $38,430 a year, or about $18.48 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,640 and $45,300.
What is a security guard’s take-home pay in Worcester, MA?
On the median $38,430 salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $31,357 a year ($2,613 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,702 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Worcester, MA a good place to work as a security guard?
Pay here is 1% above the national median of $38,020. Local prices are 2.5% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,585 would in a typical U.S. city. Worcester, MA ranks #177 of 224 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a security guard afford rent in Worcester, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Worcester, MA is $1,558 a month ($1,997 for two bedrooms) — 60% of a median security guard’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Worcester, MA
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $91,980
- First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $87,950
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $80,210
- Firefighter — $66,310