Quick Answer: How Much Does Security Cost?
The U.S. private security market average is $31.59/hr across all guard types, based on 6,464 real booked jobs. Here is the full picture:
| Guard Type | Avg Hourly | Day Rate (8 hr) | Weekly (40 hr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unarmed | $29.60 | ~$237 | ~$1,184 |
| Armed | $38.21 | ~$306 | ~$1,528 |
| Armed + Vehicle | $59.68 | ~$477 | ~$2,387 |
| Event / Venue | ~$28.00 | ~$224 | N/A (event-based) |
| Lead / Supervisor | $35.79 | ~$286 | ~$1,432 |
| Executive Protection | $80.57 | ~$645 | ~$3,223 |
Traditional security agencies add 25–75% markup over guard wages. The rates above are real market prices from actual booked engagements — not padded agency estimates.
Average Price of Private Security in the United States
The national average of $31.59/hr is the midpoint of a wide range, from approximately $24/hr for entry-level unarmed coverage in lower-cost markets to $50+/hr for specialized armed services in major coastal cities. At the premium end, executive protection and armed patrol vehicle services regularly exceed $60–$85/hr.
Private security pricing in the U.S. has risen steadily over the past several years, driven by:
- •Increased licensing requirements in most states
- •Higher guard wage floors (minimum wage increases in many markets)
- •Rising liability insurance costs following high-profile incidents
- •Sustained demand growth post-pandemic as businesses reinvested in physical security
For most commercial clients, budgeting in the $28–$42/hr range covers the vast majority of standard unarmed and armed deployments. Specialized needs sit outside that range by design.
Hourly Rates for Security Guards
Hourly rates are the most common pricing structure for ongoing security engagements. You pay for actual hours worked, typically subject to a minimum booking (usually four hours). Rates are set by guard type, location, and the specific agency's pricing model.
Key hourly benchmarks:
- •$24–$28/hr: Entry-level unarmed in secondary and suburban markets
- •$28–$34/hr: Standard unarmed in most metropolitan markets
- •$34–$45/hr: Armed guards across most U.S. markets
- •$45–$65/hr: Armed patrol vehicle or specialty armed services
- •$72–$85/hr: Executive protection and close-protection details
Overnight, weekend, and holiday shifts typically carry a 10–25% premium over these base rates. See our full security guard cost guide for deeper hourly rate breakdowns.
Daily Rates for Security Guards
For many event and project-based clients, it is easier to think in terms of shift costs rather than hourly rates. Most security engagements run 8-hour or 12-hour shifts.
| Guard Type | 8-Hour Shift | 10-Hour Shift | 12-Hour Shift |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unarmed | ~$237 | ~$296 | ~$355 |
| Armed | ~$306 | ~$382 | ~$459 |
| Armed + Vehicle | ~$477 | ~$597 | ~$716 |
| Executive Protection | ~$645 | ~$806 | ~$967 |
For overnight coverage (typically 10–12 hours), add the applicable shift premium. Construction sites, special events, and retail locations with extended hours are commonly serviced on 10–12 hour shift structures.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Security
Location
Where you need security is one of the single biggest drivers of price. Metro area rates from real booked jobs:
| Metro Area | Average Booked Rate |
|---|---|
| Miami, FL | $35.54/hr |
| New York City, NY | $34.69/hr |
| Denver, CO | $33.95/hr |
| San Antonio, TX | $33.47/hr |
| Newark, NJ | $32.39/hr |
| Nashville, TN | $31.11/hr |
| Austin, TX | $30.73/hr |
| Chicago, IL | $29.86/hr |
| Phoenix, AZ | $29.28/hr |
| Dallas-Fort Worth, TX | $27.01/hr |
| Atlanta, GA | $25.91/hr |
Location affects pricing through guard wage levels, state licensing costs, local insurance rates, and the competitive density of the agency market. View rates by location for more detail.
Experience and Training
A guard's professional background directly affects the rate. Entry-level guards with basic licensing anchor the low end. Guards with military, law enforcement, or specialized industry experience (healthcare, gaming, aviation) command 15–30% premiums. For high-stakes environments, that experience premium is well worth paying.
Advanced certifications — active threat response, CPR/AED, defensive tactics, bilingual capability — also affect rates. When requesting quotes, ask specifically about the experience levels of the guards being proposed for your deployment.
Type of Property
The nature of your property shapes both the type of guards needed and the rate you'll pay.
- •Retail locations: Unarmed coverage focused on deterrence and customer interaction, typically at standard unarmed rates
- •Financial institutions: Armed guards required by most insurance policies, higher rates with compliance documentation
- •Healthcare facilities: Often require specific healthcare security training, HIPAA awareness, de-escalation certification — rate premium of 10–20%
- •Construction sites: Overnight unarmed or armed patrol, often with vehicle; site-specific rates depending on asset value
- •Data centers and tech campuses: High access-control requirements, often mixed armed/unarmed with rigid post order compliance
For industry-specific security needs, see our industries overview.
Technology Utilization and Add-Ons
Technology integration changes the security cost equation in both directions.
Cost-adding technologies: Body cameras, GPS tracking, visitor management systems, and security monitoring platforms may be priced as add-ons. Confirm whether these are bundled before comparing quotes.
Cost-reducing technologies: Live video monitoring can reduce the number of on-site guards required by extending the effective coverage area of each guard. A monitored camera network covering parking and exterior perimeter reduces the patrol burden on in-person staff.
Smart access control, alarm monitoring, and AI-based video analytics are increasingly paired with guard services to create hybrid security programs that deliver more coverage per dollar than guard-only deployments.
Specific Types of Security and Their Prices
Event Security
Event security is priced at the lower end of the unarmed range — approximately $25–$32/hr for crowd management and access control roles. Events with VIP components, alcohol service, or large attendance often require supervisors and armed elements that raise the blended rate.
For a 500-person corporate event running eight hours, a four-guard deployment with one supervisor typically runs $1,000–$1,500 total.
Executive Protection
Executive protection is the premium tier of private security. EP specialists average $80.57/hr and are deployed for high-profile individuals, corporate executives under threat, and situations requiring advance work, motorcade protocols, and close-protection techniques. EP engagements typically involve multi-day or ongoing retainers rather than hourly bookings.
Residential Security
Residential security — guards for gated communities, luxury buildings, or private estates — typically runs in the standard unarmed or armed range depending on the community's security posture. Gated community guardhouses often use unarmed officers at $26–$32/hr. High-net-worth private estate security may involve armed personnel or EP-level staff.
Retail Security
Retail security is one of the highest-volume segments of the private security market. Standard unarmed retail guards run $26–$34/hr depending on the market. Loss prevention specialists with investigative training may run slightly higher. High-volume or organized retail crime environments may justify armed or off-duty police coverage.
How to Save Money on Hiring Security
Get multiple quotes. The single most effective cost control is competitive bidding. When agencies know they are competing, pricing sharpens. Calvis facilitates this automatically.
Right-size the guard type. Deploying armed guards where unarmed would be effective is a direct cost inefficiency. Conduct an honest risk assessment before specifying guard type.
Optimize shift timing. If your actual incident history shows risk concentrated in specific hours, adjust coverage accordingly rather than maintaining full-day staffing by default.
Bundle technology with guards. A monitored video solution covering low-risk perimeter areas allows you to concentrate human coverage on entry points and high-risk zones, reducing total hours billed.
Book ongoing rather than ad hoc. Last-minute and one-time bookings carry premiums. Monthly agreements with vetted providers typically deliver better rates.
Choosing a Security Service Based on Your Budget
| Monthly Budget | What You Can Get |
|---|---|
| Under $2,000 | Part-time unarmed guard, ~60–70 hrs/month; event-based coverage for 2–3 events |
| $2,000 – $5,000 | Part-time to near-full-time unarmed coverage for a single location |
| $5,000 – $10,000 | Full-time single guard post (unarmed), or part-time armed coverage |
| $10,000 – $25,000 | Full-time armed single post, or multi-guard unarmed program |
| $25,000+ | Multi-guard, multi-shift programs; 24/7 coverage; mixed armed/unarmed |
The most important first step is clarifying your actual coverage requirements before optimizing for price. A program designed around your real risk profile will always deliver better value than the cheapest available option.
See what security costs in your market or post your job now to receive competitive quotes from licensed, vetted agencies — no booking fees, no contracts.