Looking to hire security for your building or as personal protection? Read our handy guide to find out how much your security guard will charge for their services.
A security guard is someone who is employed to protect property or a person. Security offers reassurance to the public as well as preventing theft or criminal activity. They can also enforce crowd control at events, or work as door staff at establishments where alcohol is served.
To become a security guard, the individual has to be trained in line with state regulations. They must be over the age of 18 and have no violent or felony convictions. As well as being of sound mind, security officers must carry a GED or high school diploma. All of which is required to be able to qualify as a security guard.
The cost of hiring a security guard ranges between $35 and $50 per hour, depending on the experience of the security guard and where you are based in the US.
| Average cost (per hour) | $35 |
| Minimum cost (per hour) | $20 |
| Maximum cost (per hour) | $50 |
Typically, the cost of security isn’t that expensive. However, for specialist work such as security detail or armed security, the cost will be much higher, ranging between $50 and $100 an hour on average. The price increase is due to the additional skills and training the security officer requires when dealing with more high-risk jobs.
The cost of hiring security varies depending on several factors, including:
Type of security
The venue type
Time
Experience
Location
Security is going to differ depending on the type of officer you need and the purpose of hiring security. For example, there is a huge difference between patrolling a mall versus protecting a VIP against screaming fans or potential threats to their lives. So the expertise and skills required will ultimately affect the price.
| Type of security | Highest average price | Lowest average price |
| Venue security | $35 | $20 |
| Private bodyguard | $100 | $50 |
No two venues are the same, especially if you are trying to compare a small bar with a government building. In larger or high-risk buildings you may have to hire additional security to cover the floor space. But for smaller or general security work, one to two officers will usually suffice.
Consider the number of hours you require security for. Malls will likely hire security to patrol all day, whereas bars or events usually have shorter opening hours in comparison. Security can also be hired for one-off events or to accompany people on journeys where they will be exposed to potential threats. So think about how many hours it will take to get the job done safely.
Security guards come from all walks of life, therefore some will have more experience in the field than others. Due to the physical demands of the job, it’s unlikely you will find a security officer who has spent decades on the job. However, they should still have plenty of experience having been trained according to your state requirements.
The location of any service you wish to hire is always going to impact the price, and security is no exception. Typically, California and New York are the most expensive places to hire security, owing to the increased cost of living in these locations.
Remember, for private or specialist security services, the costs will be more expensive across the board.
| Location | Average security cost |
| California | $35 |
| Texas | $27 |
| New York | $32 |
| Wisconsin | $24 |
| Colorado | $21 |
You can never be too careful when it comes to the security of your building or the protection of life. Security acts as the eyes and ears of the building, vetting those who wish to enter and looking out for any criminal or suspicious behavior. They can also help to detain a suspect while the police arrive, which would be very difficult to do without their help. So if you want peace of mind, then hiring security is definitely worth it.
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