How Much to Charge for Security Services: Guard Rates and Pricing
How much to charge for security services
In this article
Most security companies charge a bill rate that's about 1.4 to 1.8 times the guard's hourly wage. In the US, unarmed guards are often billed at around $25 to $45 per hour, and armed guards at $35 to $65+, depending on location, risk and contract length. Build your rate from wages, payroll costs, insurance, overhead and profit.
These are rough ranges; local wages and competition change them a lot.
How to calculate your bill rate
| Cost per hour | Example |
|---|---|
| Guard wage | $18.00 |
| Payroll taxes and workers' comp (~15–25%) | $3.60 |
| Liability insurance, training, uniforms | $1.50 |
| Supervision and admin | $2.00 |
| Overhead (office, software, vehicles) | $1.50 |
| Cost | $26.60 |
| Profit (10–15%) | $3.00 – $4.00 |
| Bill rate | about $30 per hour |
Use your real numbers.
Typical rates by service
| Service | Typical pricing |
|---|---|
| Unarmed guard | ~$25 – $45 per hour |
| Armed guard | ~$35 – $65+ per hour |
| Event security | Hourly with a minimum shift (often 4 hours) |
| Mobile patrol | Per visit or monthly |
| Overtime, holidays, short notice | 1.5× rate |
Factors that change price
- Local wage levels
- Armed vs unarmed
- Number of hours per week (bigger contracts get lower rates)
- Risk level and special training
- Contract length
How to quote a contract
Visit the site, list duties, set post hours, price per guard hour, add supervision and reporting, and state overtime, holiday and cancellation terms.
Business model: How do security companies make money?.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I charge for security services?
Often 1.4 to 1.8 times the guard's wage, around $25 to $45 per hour for unarmed guards in many US areas.
How much do private security companies charge?
Usually an hourly rate per guard, more for armed guards and events.
How do I price mobile patrol?
Per visit or a monthly fee based on visits per night and drive time.
Do security companies charge for holidays?
Most charge time-and-a-half for holidays and short-notice shifts.
Why are some security quotes so cheap?
Usually lower guard pay, less supervision or minimal insurance.
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Start a conversationWritten by Sachin Rawat
AI & automation engineer · websites, apps and motion design
I build AI agents, automations, websites, apps and motion design for businesses. These guides answer the questions people actually search, written from hands-on experience building them.
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