How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Security Guard?
The short answer: most clients in the United States pay between $24 and $45 per hour for professional security guard services, with the national average hovering around $31.59/hr based on real bookings. Specialized services — armed vehicle patrol, executive protection, or high-risk event security — push well past that range.
Here is a practical at-a-glance table to orient your budget:
| Service Type | Hourly Rate Range | Monthly Cost (40 hrs/wk) |
|---|---|---|
| Unarmed security guard | $24–$34/hr | $4,150–$5,900 |
| Armed security guard | $34–$45/hr | $5,900–$7,800 |
| Armed guard + patrol vehicle | $50–$68/hr | $8,650–$11,800 |
| Event / venue security | $26–$36/hr | varies by event |
| Executive protection | $70–$100/hr | $12,100–$17,300 |
Monthly estimates assume a 40-hour work week. Many clients operate multiple shifts or guard positions simultaneously. For a detailed breakdown by city, see our security guard cost guide.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Hiring a Security Guard
Type of Security Services
The single most consequential factor is which type of security you need.
Unarmed security guards are the most widely deployed and cost-effective option. They are appropriate for retail, office lobbies, residential communities, schools, and the majority of event settings. Unarmed guard rates run $24–$34/hr nationally.
Armed security guards carry a licensed firearm and take additional training to qualify. They are standard for banks, cannabis dispensaries, pharmaceutical facilities, jewelry stores, and any site with significant cash or high-value inventory. Armed guard costs run $34–$45/hr, with specialized or experienced officers reaching higher.
Uniformed vs. plainclothes is a secondary consideration. Uniformed guards provide visible deterrence — ideal for most commercial and residential settings. Plainclothes guards (often deployed in retail loss prevention or executive protection) require more experience and bill at a premium.
Mobile patrol guards operate from a marked or unmarked vehicle, covering multiple sites on a rotation rather than manning a stationary post. This approach suits clients with several low-to-medium risk locations who want periodic rather than continuous coverage. Expect to pay $50–$68/hr, which includes vehicle and fuel costs.
Event security requires guards trained in crowd management, emergency evacuation, and conflict de-escalation in high-density environments. Rates run $26–$36/hr with per-officer minimums (typically 4–8 hours) common for concerts, galas, and sporting events.
Executive protection and personal bodyguard services are the premium tier — former law enforcement or military personnel with advanced protective detail training. Rates start at $70–$80/hr and rise steeply for 24/7 multi-agent details or international travel coverage.
Location-Specific Factors
Where your site is located shapes your rate as much as guard type does. High-cost-of-living metros carry proportionally higher security rates:
- •New York City: $34.69/hr (unarmed average)
- •Miami: $35.54/hr
- •Denver: $33.95/hr
- •Austin: $30.73/hr
- •Dallas–Fort Worth: $27.01/hr
- •Atlanta: $25.91/hr
- •Chicago: $29.86/hr
- •Phoenix: $29.28/hr
See full metro pricing on our locations page. Rural and suburban sites typically run 10–20% below major-metro rates, though guard availability can be more limited.
Experience and Expertise
Within any service category, guard experience creates meaningful price variation:
- •Entry-level (0–2 years, meets minimum licensing requirements): billing rate at or just above the lower end of the range
- •Intermediate (2–5 years, some specialized training): 10–15% premium over entry-level
- •Senior (5–10 years, prior law enforcement or military): 20–30% above entry-level, often with demonstrable incident response track record
- •Supervisor / site lead (responsible for a team of guards, shift reporting, client liaison): $4–$8/hr above line-officer rates
- •Executive protection specialist (full protective detail training, advance work, vulnerability assessments): separate tier starting at $70/hr
Matching experience level to the actual risk profile of your site is one of the most reliable ways to optimize your security budget.
Additional Services
Several add-on services can affect the total cost of a security program:
- •Remote video monitoring integration: $300–$800/month for cameras monitored by live agents
- •Access control management: Administrative overhead for issuing and revoking building credentials
- •Incident reporting software: Some agencies include this; others charge separately
- •Fire watch documentation: Required by FDNY and many local fire marshals when suppression systems are offline — billed at standard guard rates plus a documentation fee
- •Background investigation (enhanced): For clients requiring clearance beyond the standard criminal background check
Cost Structure for Hiring Security Guards
Hourly Rates vs. Flat Fees
The vast majority of security guard contracts are priced on an hourly basis — you pay for hours worked, plus any applicable overtime. Flat-fee arrangements are more common for one-off events with a clearly defined scope (e.g., a 4-hour corporate dinner with 2 guards). For ongoing site coverage, hourly pricing gives both parties flexibility to adjust staffing levels as needs evolve.
Contract Length and Flexibility
Traditional security agencies frequently require 90-day or even 12-month minimum contracts with 30–60 day cancellation notice requirements. These lock-in structures protect the agency's scheduling investment but create real problems for clients whose needs change. The Calvis marketplace connects you with vetted agencies that operate without forced long-term commitments — you get professional, licensed coverage with the flexibility to scale up, scale down, or cancel as your situation evolves.
Scope of Services
A clearly defined scope of work — post orders, hours, required certifications, reporting expectations — directly affects the accuracy and fairness of the quote you receive. Vague scopes produce vague quotes that expand at billing. Before requesting proposals, document:
- •Exact coverage hours and days
- •Number of guard positions required simultaneously
- •Armed or unarmed requirement, and any state-specific licensing needs
- •Specific duties (access control, patrol route, visitor log, cash handling)
- •Reporting format and escalation procedures
Checklist: Key Cost Factors When Hiring a Security Guard
Use this checklist when comparing proposals:
- •Are guards licensed and background-verified in your state?
- •Is workers' compensation and general liability insurance included in the billing rate?
- •Does the rate include supervision, scheduling overhead, and uniform?
- •How are California (daily overtime) or other state-specific labor laws handled?
- •Are there minimum-hour requirements per shift or per week?
- •What is the cancellation notice period?
- •Are holiday and overnight premiums disclosed upfront?
- •Is there a clear escalation path if a guard does not show?
Conclusion
Security guard costs in 2025 range from around $24/hr for a straightforward unarmed post in a lower-cost market to $100+/hr for executive protection in a major metro. The national average sits at $31.59/hr across all service types. The right budget depends on your risk profile, location, required guard type, and how many hours of coverage you need.
Calvis is a transparent, no-booking-fee marketplace connecting clients with licensed, vetted security agencies. No long-term contracts. Real rates. Hire security guards today and get live pricing from multiple agencies in your market.