How Much Does Private Security Cost

Private security can cost anywhere from about $15 per hour for a basic unarmed home guard to $200 or more per hour for VIP protection in Los Angeles. That wide range is real, but it doesn't mean every quote should fall anywhere in between.

The price depends on what the guard must do, how many hours you need, whether the guard is armed, where the service takes place, and how much experience the assignment calls for. A short event with one unarmed guard is priced very differently from round-the-clock executive protection.

Typical private security costs at a glance

Here are the main ranges found in current pricing examples. Treat them as budgeting guides, not guaranteed national rates.

These figures don't establish one universal private security rate. A guard in one city may charge much less or more than a guard offering a different service in another place.

The word security guard also covers several kinds of work. A person watching a home entrance may have a different role from a bodyguard traveling with a client. Comparing those prices without comparing the duties can give you a misleading answer.

Private security cost per hour by service type

Unarmed guards

An unarmed personal security guard is often listed at about $20 to $40 per hour. Basic unarmed bodyguard services are commonly listed at about $30 to $60 per hour.

Those ranges overlap because the job descriptions may overlap. A personal guard might monitor a location, walk with a client, control access, or provide a visible presence. A bodyguard assignment may involve more direct personal protection and closer work with the client.

For a home, unarmed guard rates are listed lower, at about $15 to $30 per hour. The work may involve watching the property, checking people who enter, or remaining at a post.

Armed guards

Armed personal security is usually more expensive. Some pricing examples put it at around $50 per hour to start, while another stated range is $75 to $150 per hour.

For home protection, armed guards are listed at about $25 to $50 per hour. That lower home-security range should not be treated as a direct comparison with armed executive protection. An armed guard stationed at a property may have a very different job from an armed professional traveling with a high-risk client.

The right comparison is based on the full assignment:

• Is the guard staying in one place or moving with you?
• Is the guard protecting a person, a home, or an event?
• Does the assignment require a particular level of experience?
• Is the guard needed for a simple visible presence or a more specialized protection role?

VIP and executive protection

VIP protection sits at the high end of the ranges provided. In Los Angeles, VIP protection is listed at $85 to $200 or more per hour.

This is a useful example of how the service label changes the budget. The higher rate isn't simply an “armed guard price.” VIP protection may involve a more demanding schedule, greater experience, detailed planning, or a higher level of personal attention.

There is no reliable figure in the provided pricing information for what a specific celebrity pays. For example, the available results do not establish how much Jeff Bezos pays his bodyguards. It would be misleading to attach a number to that question without a verified source.

How much security costs for a day, month, or year

The easiest way to estimate a budget is to start with the hourly rate and multiply it by the number of hours. The basic formula is:

Hourly rate × hours per shift × number of shifts = estimated service cost

For example, one unarmed guard working an eight-hour day at $20 to $40 per hour would cost:

• $160–$320 for one eight-hour day
• $800–$1,600 for five eight-hour days
• $4,800–$9,600 for four weeks of five-day coverage

That last figure assumes 20 eight-hour shifts in a month. It is a simple budgeting example, not a standard monthly quote.

Here are other examples using the listed hourly ranges:

These calculations show why “how much to hire a security guard for a day” has no single answer. A day could mean four hours, eight hours, 12 hours, or a full 24-hour period. The guard type matters just as much as the length of the shift.

The annual figures also assume the same guard rate and a steady schedule. They don't account for changing rates, staffing needs, holidays, overtime rules, travel, or a company's minimum booking period. Ask the provider to turn your actual schedule into a written monthly or yearly quote.

What 24-hour private security can cost

“How much does 24 hour security cost?” depends on whether you mean one guard present for 24 hours or continuous coverage with staff changes.

Using simple hourly math:

• Unarmed home coverage at $15–$30 per hour: $360–$720 for 24 hours
• Armed home coverage at $25–$50 per hour: $600–$1,200 for 24 hours
• Unarmed personal security at $20–$40 per hour: $480–$960 for 24 hours
• Basic unarmed bodyguard service at $30–$60 per hour: $720–$1,440 for 24 hours

For 30 days of continuous coverage, those same calculations become:

• Unarmed home guard: $10,800–$21,600
• Armed home guard: $18,000–$36,000
• Unarmed personal guard: $14,400–$28,800
• Basic unarmed bodyguard: $21,600–$43,200

For a full 365-day year, the simple totals are:

• Unarmed home guard: $131,400–$262,800
• Armed home guard: $219,000–$438,000
• Unarmed personal guard: $175,200–$350,400
• Basic unarmed bodyguard: $262,800–$525,600

These numbers are useful for seeing the size of the budget, but they don't mean one person can work every hour of the year. Continuous coverage normally has to be arranged around shifts and guard availability. The provider may quote a team rather than one individual.

Ask whether the quote covers a full 24-hour presence, scheduled overnight checks, or only a set number of hours each day. Those are very different services.

Home security guards, bodyguards, and executive protection compared

A home security guard usually stays at or near a property. The goal may be to watch an entrance, monitor activity, control access, or provide a visible presence. Listed rates are about $15–$30 per hour for unarmed home guards and $25–$50 per hour for armed home guards.

A bodyguard works more directly with a person. The guard may travel with the client, attend appointments, or remain nearby during public activities. Basic unarmed bodyguard services are listed at about $30–$60 per hour.

Executive or VIP protection generally describes a higher level of personal protection. The price examples are much wider and higher, especially in Los Angeles, where VIP protection is listed at $85–$200 or more per hour.

There isn't a single line separating these services. A provider may use different names for similar work, while two companies may use the same name for very different assignments. Focus on the duties and coverage rather than the label alone.

Armed versus unarmed security pricing

Armed security usually costs more than comparable unarmed security, but the word “armed” doesn't tell you the whole price.

The available ranges include:

• Unarmed personal security: $20–$40 per hour
• Basic unarmed bodyguard: $30–$60 per hour
• Armed personal security: starts around $50 per hour, with another listed range of $75–$150 per hour
• Unarmed home guard: $15–$30 per hour
• Armed home guard: $25–$50 per hour

The large difference between armed home security and armed personal protection is a reminder to compare like with like. Service location, experience, duties, and city can all change the quote.

You should also ask what “armed” means in the specific proposal. Confirm the guard's role, the equipment included, and the limits of the service. Don't assume that an armed guard provides the same type of protection as an executive protection specialist.

Event security and other short-term services

Event security is often easier to budget because you know the event's start and end times. Still, the number of guards needed can change the total quickly.

In Los Angeles, event security is listed at about $32–$65 per hour. One guard working an eight-hour event would therefore cost about $256–$520 before any extra charges or booking rules. Two guards for the same event would double that hourly labor estimate.

A short-term quote may depend on:

• The event's length
• The number of entrances or areas to watch
• Whether the guard is unarmed or armed
• Whether guests, staff, or vendors need access checks
• The number of guards requested
• The location and local market

For a small private event, ask for a quote based on the exact guest count and schedule. For a larger gathering, describe the layout and the tasks you expect the guards to handle. “Event security” is too broad for a useful estimate by itself.

Factors that change a private security quote

The hourly figures are starting points. Your quote may move because of:

• Location: A listed Los Angeles rate may not apply in another city or state.
• Guard type: Home guards, bodyguards, event guards, and VIP protection have different price ranges.
• Armed or unarmed service: Armed services are often priced higher than comparable unarmed work.
• Experience level: A basic guard and a specialist with more experience may not have the same rate.
• Coverage hours: A few hours, overnight coverage, and 24-hour service create different staffing needs.
• Number of guards: Two guards cost more than one, even when the hourly rate stays the same.
• Schedule: A regular weekday schedule may be quoted differently from irregular or last-minute coverage.
• Duties: A stationary post, travel with a client, event access control, and close protection are separate assignments.
• Booking rules: Ask about minimum hours, minimum shifts, and any required number of guards.
• Travel and special needs: Ask whether travel time, transportation, or other assignment-related costs are included.

The research behind these ranges does not establish one national average. It also doesn't show celebrity-specific pay. Treat any online number as a starting point for questions, not as a promise of what your local provider will charge.

What to ask a private security company before hiring

Give several providers the same information so you can compare quotes fairly. Include:

1. The type of service: home guard, unarmed personal security, bodyguard, armed guard, event security, or VIP protection.
2. The location: city, property address or general area, and whether the guard will travel.
3. The schedule: exact dates, daily start and end times, and whether you need overnight or 24-hour coverage.
4. The number of guards: say whether you need one person or a team.
5. The main duties: watching a property, accompanying a person, checking access, monitoring an event, or another clearly described task.
6. The preferred guard type: armed or unarmed, if you already know what you need.
7. The booking length: ask about minimum hours and minimum shifts.
8. The full price: request the hourly rate, estimated total, and any separate fees.
9. The staffing plan: for continuous coverage, ask how shifts and guard changes will be handled.
10. The provider's qualifications: ask for details about licensing and the company's experience with similar assignments.

A regular person can contact local providers about bodyguard or personal security services, but the available pricing information doesn't establish one set of eligibility rules. A licensed local company can tell you whether it offers the service you need in your area.

Private security may or may not fit your budget or situation. The research doesn't provide enough information to decide that for everyone. The practical next step is to request itemized quotes from licensed local providers that clearly list the guard type, hours, duties, coverage plan, and any minimum booking requirements.