Amherst Town-Northampton, MA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Security Guard Salary in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA

In the Amherst Town-Northampton, MA metropolitan area, security guards earned a median annual wage of $42,300 ($20.34/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $33,000/year and the 90th was $52,900/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Massachusetts tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $34,373 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 100.2 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$42,300$20.34 per hour · $3,525 monthly
10th Percentile$33,000$15.87/hr base
25th Percentile$35,800$17.21/hr base
75th Percentile$43,400$20.87/hr base
90th Percentile$52,900$25.43/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$42,300
$15,000$85,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$42,300
Net 81%
Fed 7%
MA 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$34,373After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,864Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,322Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,896 / yr
Massachusetts state income tax$1,795 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,236 / yr

Security Guards Wage Percentiles in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Security Guards in the Amherst Town-Northampton, MA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (MA)
10th Percentile$15.87/hr$2,750$33,000$27,366
25th Percentile$17.21/hr$2,983$35,800$29,475
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$20.34/hr$3,525$42,300$34,373
75th Percentile$20.87/hr$3,617$43,400$35,202
90th Percentile$25.43/hr$4,408$52,900$42,360

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$42,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$87,001Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index100.20.2% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio48.6%of area median income

Compare security guards salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Massachusetts:

Frequently Asked Questions About Security Guards Pay in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA

What is the median salary for security guards in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?

The official BLS median annual wage for security guards in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA is $42,300, which equates to approximately $3,525 per month or $20.34 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for security guards in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?

The median hourly wage for security guards in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA is $20.34 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.87/hour and one in ten earned more than $25.43/hour.

What is the pay range for security guards in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?

BLS wage estimates for security guards in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA span from $33,000 at the 10th percentile to $35,800 at the 25th, $43,400 at the 75th, and $52,900 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do security guards take home after taxes in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?

On a median gross salary of $42,300, an estimated $34,373 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,322 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Massachusetts in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,927 (an effective rate of 18.7%).

How much do security guards make per month in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?

On the median annual salary of $42,300, gross monthly income is $3,525. After federal, FICA, and Massachusetts state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,864 per month (or $1,322 every two weeks).

Is $42,300 a good salary in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?

At $42,300, the median salary for security guards is 48.6% of the Amherst Town-Northampton, MA median household income ($87,001). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 100.2, making regional consumer goods and services 0.2% more expensive than the U.S. average.