Executive protection on Calvis averages $80.57/hr, with most single-agent bookings falling between $72 and $85/hr. The broader market runs roughly $70 to $150+/hr depending on threat level, agent credentials, whether the role is armed, and detail size. A standard armed guard, by comparison, runs $38.21/hr. The premium for a trained EP professional reflects a genuinely different service.
What is executive protection?
Executive protection (EP) is the industry term for what most people call a "bodyguard." It covers far more than physical presence. A trained EP agent conducts or reviews advance work before a principal arrives at a location, identifies threat vectors, coordinates secure transport, communicates with venue staff, and manages the principal's movement to minimize exposure. The work is proactive, not reactive.
Standard armed guards protect a location. EP protects a person, wherever that person goes.
What drives bodyguard costs
Agent experience and background
Former law enforcement and military personnel, particularly those with Secret Service, Special Forces, or federal agent backgrounds, command the highest rates. Their training in threat assessment, counter-surveillance, and use of force under pressure is not replicated by standard security licensing. Expect a 30–60% premium over a base-certified EP agent.
Armed vs. unarmed
Armed EP agents carry firearms, which requires additional state licensing, ongoing qualifications, liability coverage, and in many jurisdictions separate permits per assignment location. Armed bodyguards typically run 40–60% more than their unarmed equivalents. For most corporate principals in low-threat environments, a well-trained unarmed EP agent is the right call. For elevated threat situations or travel to high-risk areas, armed coverage is the baseline.
Single agent vs. multi-agent detail
A single EP agent cannot simultaneously conduct advance work, drive, and maintain a close protective position on a principal. Multi-agent details divide these functions:
- •Shift agent, primary close protection during the principal's active hours
- •Driver / transportation security specialist, dedicated to secure vehicle operation
- •Advance agent, surveys upcoming locations before the principal arrives
- •Residential or overnight agent, stationary protection at home or hotel
Each additional agent multiplies the daily rate proportionally. A two-agent detail doubles the direct labor cost before accounting for shared logistics.
Advance work
Pre-trip route surveys, venue security assessments, and coordination with local law enforcement are billed separately from shift hours on complex assignments. A half-day advance for a high-profile public appearance can add $300–$800 to the total cost of a single-day engagement.
Secure transport and driver
A dedicated security driver is a trained defensive driver and a protective asset, not a ride service. Secure transportation typically adds $50–$100/hr above the agent's rate when billed as a separate role. Some clients fold driving into the close protection role; this works in lower-risk situations where a single trained individual can handle both safely.
Travel, lodging, and per diem
Assignments that require the agent to travel incur travel costs, hotel, and per diem (typically $80–$175/day). For international assignments, expect an additional 30–50% above domestic rates to cover advance logistics, local partner coordination, and in some cases medical evacuation insurance.
Duration and contract structure
Day rates for event-based EP (gala appearance, court hearing, product launch) run higher per hour than recurring contract rates. A principal who books ongoing coverage, weekly or monthly, will typically negotiate a lower effective hourly rate than someone booking a single day. Multi-week travel details are priced as packages that spread advance and planning costs across the engagement.
Threat level
A baseline threat assessment determines the minimum configuration required. A public-facing executive navigating a media cycle after a contentious announcement needs a different posture than a private individual attending a family event. Threat level dictates armed vs. unarmed, single vs. multi-agent, and whether advance work is operationally necessary.
Executive protection pricing table
| Configuration | Hourly | Daily (10 hrs) | Weekly (5 days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single EP agent, unarmed | $72–$85/hr | $720–$850 | $3,600–$4,250 |
| Single EP agent, armed | $95–$130/hr | $950–$1,300 | $4,750–$6,500 |
| Two-agent detail (armed) | $190–$260/hr | $1,900–$2,600 | $9,500–$13,000 |
| Full residential detail (3+ agents, 24/7) | , | $1,500–$3,500/day | $10,500–$24,500 |
| Event-only EP (4–6 hrs) | $80–$150/hr | $400–$900 event | , |
| International / high-threat | +30–50% above domestic | , | , |
Calvis-booked EP rates have averaged $80.57/hr, with the $72–$85 range covering the majority of single-agent bookings. Armed guard bookings on the platform average $38.21/hr for standard fixed-post assignments.
EP vs. a standard armed guard: why the premium exists
Many clients assume hiring an armed guard delivers the same protection as hiring an EP agent. It does not.
| Factor | Standard armed guard | Executive protection agent |
|---|---|---|
| Primary function | Protect a location | Protect a person, on the move |
| Advance work | None | Core competency |
| Threat assessment | Reactive | Proactive and pre-deployment |
| Driving | No | Defensive driving trained |
| Counter-surveillance | Not trained | Standard skill |
| Crowd / public navigation | Limited | Trained close-protection movement |
| Typical deployment | Fixed post | Dynamic, principal-following |
An armed guard standing at a door is excellent at deterring unauthorized access to a building. That same guard is not trained to assess whether the restaurant a principal is about to enter has a secure exit, identify a surveillance vehicle, or execute a vehicle extraction under pressure. EP agents train specifically for a principal-centric threat model. The hourly premium reflects that specialization.
When you actually need executive protection
EP is the right service when the person, not just the property, is the target of potential threat. Common situations:
- •C-suite executives and public figures with public profiles that create personal threat exposure
- •High-profile legal matters, witnesses, plaintiffs, or defendants in cases with media attention or personal threat history
- •Domestic violence / stalking situations where a known individual poses a credible threat
- •International travel to elevated-risk regions where kidnapping, civil unrest, or targeted crime is a material concern
- •Product launches, media appearances, or tours where a public-facing individual will be in open or crowded environments
- •VIP event attendance where crowd dynamics and multiple unknown actors create unpredictable exposure
EP is generally not necessary, and represents overspending, for standard business travel in low-risk domestic environments, routine office work, or fixed-location events where armed or unarmed event security covers the actual risk profile.
For most commercial property security needs, see our security guard cost guide. For event-specific coverage, visit our hire security guards page. If your use case involves personal protection rather than site protection, executive protection is the right starting point.
Booking EP on Calvis
Calvis connects clients with licensed, vetted executive protection agents across major markets. Every EP agent on the platform is pre-verified for licensing and insurance, so you are not sourcing credentials manually. Bookings are shift-flexible: a single appearance, a week-long travel detail, or ongoing coverage. Rates are transparent before booking, with no invoicing surprises.
Compare armed vs. unarmed security guards if you are evaluating which service level fits your situation, or hire security guards to start a booking.