The Security Guard's Guide to Somerville, MA

So you're thinking about moving to Somerville or starting a career as a security guard here. Let's cut through the promotional fluff and get to the data. I've lived in the Greater Boston area for years, and I know this city block by block. Security work here isn't glamorous, but it's steady. The rent is high, the competition is real, and the opportunities are specific. This guide is for the practical-minded—someone who wants the numbers, the neighborhoods, and the straight talk on whether this career path makes sense in this particular city.

The job market for security guards in Somerville is small but defined. With a metro population of 80,407, this isn't a sprawling metropolis; it's a dense, transit-rich city packed between Cambridge, Medford, and Boston. The jobs are here, but you need to know where to look. The national average for a Security Guard is $36,140/year, and Somerville's median is slightly higher at $37,397/year. That $17.98/hour rate is your baseline, but in this city, your real financial story is written in your take-home pay versus your rent.

This guide uses data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Massachusetts State Police Licensing Division, and local market research. We'll break down the salary reality, map the employers, decode the licensing, and help you figure out if the Somerville lifestyle aligns with a security guard's budget.

The Salary Picture: Where Somerville Stands

Let's start with the hard numbers. The $37,397/year median salary for Security Guards in the Somerville metro is a data point, not a guarantee. Your actual earnings will hinge on experience, the type of facility you guard, and whether you work for a large contract firm or a single-site employer. The 10-year job growth projection of 3% is modest, reflecting a stable but not booming field. This isn't a career of explosive growth; it's one of reliability.

To give you a clear picture, here’s a breakdown of what you can expect at different stages of your career in this specific market. These are estimates based on local job postings and industry trends, anchored to the area's median.

Experience Level	Typical Role	Estimated Annual Salary	Hourly Equivalent	Notes for Somerville
Entry-Level	Unarmed Guard (Retail, Office)	$32,000 - $36,000	$15.38 - $17.31	Often starts at the lower end. Shift work (overnights, weekends) is common.
Mid-Level	Armed Guard, Site Supervisor	$38,000 - $45,000	$18.27 - $21.63	Requires MA Armed Guard license. Supervisory roles add ~10-15%.
Senior	Lead Guard, Corporate Security	$46,000 - $55,000	$22.12 - $26.44	Often found at universities (Harvard, Tufts) or hospitals (Mount Auburn).
Expert/Management	Security Manager, Director	$56,000+	$26.92+	Requires experience + business/management skills. Fewer openings, more competition.

How Somerville Compares to Other MA Cities:
Somerville's salary sits in a middle ground. It's higher than cities like Springfield ($34,800/year) but lower than the powerhouse of Boston proper ($41,200/year). The key difference is cost. Somerville is adjacent to Boston and Cambridge, which drives up both wages and living expenses. You might make $3,800 more in Boston, but you'll likely pay that difference (and more) in rent. The $37,397 median is a realistic target for someone with a year or two of experience and the right certifications.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's be brutally honest. The $17.98/hour median wage translates to about $37,397/year before taxes. In Massachusetts, with a single filer standard deduction, your take-home pay will be roughly $29,500 - $30,500 annually, or about $2,460 - $2,540 per month. This is your reality.

Now, consider the rent. The average 1-bedroom apartment in Somerville costs $2,064/month. That is not a typo. That single expense consumes over 80% of your monthly take-home pay at the median salary. This is the central financial challenge for any single-income security guard in this city.

Let's break down a monthly budget for someone earning the median $37,397/year (take-home of ~$2,500/month):

Expense Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	% of Take-Home	Notes
Rent (1BR)	$2,064	82.6%	This is the baseline. Finding cheaper requires roommates or a studio.
Utilities (Electric, Gas, Internet)	$150	6.0%	Older Somerville buildings can have high heating costs in winter.
Groceries	$400	16.0%	Living near Market Basket (Assembly Row) or LaSalle can help.
Transportation (MBTA Pass)	$90	3.6%	A monthly LinkPass is essential. Owning a car in Somerville is expensive and often unnecessary.
Health Insurance (if not employer-paid)	$250	10.0%	A major cost if you're a contractor without benefits.
Personal/Discretionary	$0	0%	This is the problem. There is no room for savings, emergencies, or leisure.

Can they afford to buy a home?
No. Not on this salary alone. The median home price in Somerville is over $700,000. A 20% down payment is $140,000. Even with a dual-income household, a security guard's salary would need to be supplemented significantly by a higher-earning partner to secure a mortgage. Renting is the default, and that means budgeting is non-negotiable. The only path to homeownership in this market for a security guard is through aggressive savings over many years, likely with significant investment gains or inheritance—realities not tied to the job itself.

Insider Tip: Look for apartments in the "middle" of Somerville—areas like the Hill or parts of Winter Hill—not directly on the Red Line stops (like Davis or Porter), where rent premiums are highest. A 10-minute walk to the T can save you $200-$300/month.

Where the Jobs Are: Somerville's Major Employers

The job market for security guards in Somerville is concentrated in a few key sectors: higher education, healthcare, and commercial/retail hubs. You won't find massive corporate HQs, but you will find a dense network of institutions that require 24/7 coverage.

1. Tufts University: A major employer. They hire both in-house security and contract guards through firms like Allied Universal. Positions range from entry-level campus posts to specialized roles at the Science & Engineering complex. Hiring is cyclical, peaking in late summer before the academic year. Insider Tip: Tufts often posts jobs directly on their HR site first. Check it weekly.

2. Mount Auburn Hospital (Cambridge, but a primary employer for Somerville residents): A Level II Trauma Center. Security here is critical, often requiring MA Armed Guard licenses. They have a dedicated in-house security team. The work is fast-paced and deals with a wide range of situations. Pay is at the higher end of the mid-level range.

3. Partners HealthCare (Brigham and Women's Faulkner & Salem Hospitals, satellite offices): While the main hospitals are in Boston/Cambridge, many security guards live in Somerville. The system uses large contract firms. This is a steady, benefits-heavy job if you can get in.

4. City of Somerville: The city government hires security for public buildings, events, and the Somerville Public Schools. These are civil service jobs with strong benefits, pensions, and union protections (SEIU). Competition is fierce, and you often need to be on a civil service list. It's a long-term play.

5. Commercial & Retail Hubs (Assembly Row & Davis Square): Assembly Row is a major destination with outlets, restaurants, and entertainment. Retail security guards are employed directly by stores or through firms like Securitas. Davis Square has smaller offices and businesses. Shift work is the norm here.

6. Security Contract Firms (Allied Universal, Securitas, G4S): These are the backbone of the industry. They service the above employers. Getting on with one of these firms is often the first step. They offer varied assignments, which can be a pro (no two days the same) or a con (unpredictable schedules). Hiring Trend: Post-pandemic, there's a steady demand for guards at logistics centers in nearby Everett and Chelsea, which are commutable from Somerville.

Getting Licensed in MA

Massachusetts has strict gun laws, and this extends to security work. You cannot work legally without a license. The process is managed by the Massachusetts State Police Licensing Division.

Unarmed Guard License:

• Cost: ~$75 for the license fee, plus $100-$200 for the required 8-hour pre-licensing course from a certified school.
• Timeline: 4-8 weeks from application submission to receiving your license, assuming no delays.
• Requirements: Must be 18+, pass a background check (no felonies, certain misdemeanors), and complete the training course. The course covers MA laws, use of force, and report writing.

Armed Guard License (A significant step up):

• Cost: ~$150 for the license fee, plus $400-$600 for the 8-hour armed course (this is in addition to the unarmed course).
• Timeline: 8-12 weeks. The process is more rigorous.
• Requirements: Must be 21+, have a valid Unarmed Guard license, pass a more extensive background check, complete the armed training (including live-fire qualification), and demonstrate a "suitable reason" for carrying a firearm (e.g., job requirement). This is the key to higher-paying jobs at banks, hospitals, and armored transport.

Insider Tip: Do not use a "diploma mill" for your training. Employers recognize reputable schools like those affiliated with the Massachusetts Security and Firearms Training Academy. A good instructor is worth the extra cost. The license is state-wide, but some employers (like universities) may require additional internal training.

Best Neighborhoods for Security Guards

Choosing where to live in Somerville is a balance of commute, cost, and lifestyle. As a security guard, you may work odd hours, so public transit and safety matter.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Estimated 1BR Rent	Why It Works (or Doesn't)
The Hill (Prospect Hill)	Historic, quiet, residential. A 10-15 min walk to Davis or Porter Square.	$1,900 - $2,100	Good value. Less student-heavy, more families and professionals. Safe walks home after a late shift.
Winter Hill	Up-and-coming, more diverse, great local restaurants (like the famous pub). Near Sullivan Sq. T (Orange Line).	$1,800 - $2,000	Best budget option. More "real" Somerville, less gentrified. Commute to downtown Boston is easy on the Orange Line.
Davis Square	The heart of Somerville. Vibrant, walkable, full of students and young professionals.	$2,100 - $2,300+	Premium price. The Red Line is right there, but you're paying for the scene. Hard to swing on a guard's salary alone.
Teele Square	Bordering Cambridge, quieter than Davis, but still lively. Close to the Tufts campus.	$1,950 - $2,150	A solid middle ground. Easy access to both Cambridge and Somerville jobs. Less crowded than Davis.
North of Assembly	The area around the Assembly Square Marketplace. Newer constructions, more chains.	$2,000 - $2,200	Modern amenities, but can feel corporate. The Orange Line is a major plus for commuters. Good for those who drive (easy highway access).

Personal Insight: If you're working at Mount Auburn or a hospital in Cambridge, living in Teele or The Hill makes for a manageable commute via bus or a short drive. If your job is at Assembly Row, living north of it cuts your commute to a walkable distance.

The Long Game: Career Growth

With a 3% growth rate, you're not looking at rapid promotion. Growth is about specialization and strategic moves. Here’s the path forward:

• Specialty Premiums:

  • Armed Guard: Adds $3-$5/hour to your base rate. This is the single biggest salary lever.
  • EMT Certification: If you get your EMT-B license (cost: ~$1,500, 6 months), you can work in hospital security or as a dual-role guard. This can add $2-$4/hour.
  • Corporate Security: Moving from contract work to in-house at a university or large company often means better benefits and a clearer career ladder into management.

• Advancement Paths:

  1. Entry Guard -> Site Supervisor (2-4 years): Requires reliability, strong report-writing skills, and often an internal promotion.
  2. Supervisor -> Security Manager (5-8 years): Requires business acumen, budgeting skills, and often a degree or advanced certifications (like CPP - Certified Protection Professional).
  3. Alternative Path: Leverage your experience to move into related fields like compliance officer (for cannabis dispensaries, which are legal in MA) or risk management.

• 10-Year Outlook: The need for physical security isn't going away, but technology will change the role. You'll see more integration with surveillance systems, access control, and AI. The guards who will thrive are those who adapt. The 10-year job growth of 3% suggests a stable, but not expanding, field. Your personal growth will come from your own initiative to gain skills and licenses.

The Verdict: Is Somerville Right for You?

Somerville is a fantastic place to live if you can afford it. It's vibrant, diverse, and incredibly well-connected. For a security guard, it offers a steady job market but a severe cost-of-living squeeze. Here’s the final breakdown.

Pros	Cons
Stable Job Market in specific sectors (education, healthcare).	Extreme Rent Burden. The median salary cannot comfortably cover a 1BR apartment.
Excellent Public Transit. You don't need a car, saving on insurance, gas, and parking.	High Competition. For the best jobs (city, university in-house), you need to be persistent.
Diverse, Walkable City. Lots to do outside of work, great food, strong community feel.	Modest Long-Term Growth. The 3% job growth means you must be proactive to advance your career.
Proximity to Boston/Cambridge. Opens up a wider job market for those willing to commute.	High Cost of Living Index (111.6). Everything from groceries to a beer at a local bar costs more than the national average.

Final Recommendation:
Somerville is a viable choice for a security guard only under specific conditions. It works best for:

• Dual-income households where the security guard's salary is not the sole income.
• Those with roommates, willing to share an apartment to cut housing costs.
• Career-focused individuals who see the first 2-3 years as an investment to get licensed, gain experience, and position themselves for a higher-paying in-house or armed role.
• Transit-savvy workers who value walkability and access to the city over square footage.

If you are a single person relying solely on a $37,397/year salary, Somerville will be a constant financial struggle. You will be rent-burdened, with little room for error or savings. In that case, a nearby city like Medford, Malden, or Revere, while less "cool," offers more breathing room in your budget.

The choice comes down to lifestyle vs. budget. Somerville offers a high-quality lifestyle, but for a security guard, it comes at a premium that the salary data says is hard to afford.

FAQs

1. Can I get a job as a security guard in Somerville without a car?
Yes, absolutely. Somerville and the greater Boston area have a robust public transit system (MBTA subways, buses, commuter rail). Most major employers (Tufts, Mount Auburn, Assembly Row) are accessible via T or bus. Owning a car is a financial liability here due to high insurance rates, scarce and expensive parking, and street cleaning nightmares.

2. How long does it take to go from an unarmed to an armed guard license?
If you already have your unarmed license, you can start the armed training immediately.