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Boston Career Explorer

Protective Service

Security Guards

Guard, patrol, or monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules. May operate x-ray and metal detector equipment.

Also called: Armed Security Officer, Campus Security Officer (CSO), Custom Protection Officer (CPO), Customer Service Security Officer, Hotel Security Officer, Loss Prevention Officer

Median pay in Greater Boston
$44,990
$21.63/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
19,250
Massachusetts 2024–2034
+1.4%
3,090 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
High school diploma or equivalent
plus Short-term on-the-job training

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$35,780$38,860$44,990$46,420$56,450

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • Lock doors and gates of entrances and exits to secure buildings.
  • Patrol industrial or commercial premises to prevent and detect signs of intrusion and ensure security of doors, windows, and gates.
  • Respond to medical emergencies by administering basic first aid or by obtaining assistance from paramedics.
  • Answer alarms and investigate disturbances.
  • Circulate among visitors, patrons, or employees to preserve order and protect property.
  • Monitor and authorize entrance and departure of employees, visitors, and other persons to guard against theft and maintain security of premises.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Moderate exposure38 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 36
  • Language-model AIOE 35
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 43

Observed AI use today: Little or none (Anthropic Economic Index)

Security guard work has moderate AI exposure, with little or no observed AI use so far. Federal projections note that drones, autonomous robots, and remote sensing may let each guard cover a larger area, which could slow hiring. Tasks like first aid, handling disturbances, and dealing with visitors still rely on people.

Likely to change

  • Patrolling large areas with drones and sensors
  • Watching premises for signs of intrusion

Still relies on people

  • Giving first aid in medical emergencies
  • Handling disturbances and talking with visitors

What federal projections say

“Productivity change - share decreases as improvements in remote sensing, including drones and autonomous robots, allow security guards to patrol larger areas.”
BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, factors affecting this job (U.S.)

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

Next steps from here

Related jobs that build on what you already do.

  • Firefighters

    First aid, emergency response, and keeping people safe carry over. Firefighting pays a Boston median of $73,990, with long-term on-the-job training.

    Pay difference
    +$29,000 median
    AI exposure
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    MA growth
    +4.4%
    To get started
    Postsecondary nondegree award

  • Maintenance and Repair Workers, General

    Checking buildings and equipment for problems carries over to maintenance work. It pays a Boston median of $59,670 and needs a high school diploma.

    Pay difference
    +$14,680 median
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    MA growth
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    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity

    Keeping the public safe and orderly carries over to transit driving. It pays a Boston median of $70,120 and is projected to grow 9.3%.

    Pay difference
    +$25,130 median
    AI exposure
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    MA growth
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    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

No college programs near Boston map to this job. Many people enter through on-the-job training or apprenticeship.

Talk to a career coach at the Office of Workforce Development about apprenticeships and City partner programs.

Related occupations

Talk to a career coach

A coach at the Office of Workforce Development can help you plan your next step, and connect you with training, apprenticeships and City partner programs that are not listed here.

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