How Much Is Private Security per Hour

Private security usually costs about $15 to $50 per hour for a standard guard, but the number changes a lot by service type. Executive protection can run about $85 to $125 per hour for one qualified agent, while some Los Angeles estimates range from $25 to $200 or more per hour.

Here’s a quick side-by-side look at common estimates:

These are planning ranges, not fixed price tags. A guard watching a quiet office entrance usually costs less than an armed agent protecting a public figure. The number of guards, the length of the assignment, the location, and the level of experience can all change the quote.

Hourly rates for unarmed security guards

Unarmed guards are often the least expensive private security option. They may monitor entrances, check visitors, patrol a property, watch cameras, or write incident reports. Their presence can also help enforce basic site rules and discourage unwanted access.

Across the estimates available, unarmed security guard cost falls between $15 and $40 per hour.

The lower end includes basic services, with some estimates placing entry-level unarmed guards at $15 to $20 per hour. National estimates also put unarmed guards around $18 to $28 per hour, while many metropolitan areas fall near $20 to $25 per hour.

Other estimates place private unarmed security at $25 to $40 per hour, especially when the guard has more experience or the assignment is in a higher-cost area.

A rough planning guide looks like this:

• Basic site watch: $15–$20 per hour
• Typical metro-area service: $20–$28 per hour
• More experienced or specialized unarmed service: $25–$40 per hour

That does not mean the cheapest guard is always the best fit. A busy building, late-night shift, or site with strict reporting needs may call for someone with more training and experience. Those details can push the rate toward the upper end.

Hourly rates for armed security guards

Armed guards generally cost more because the assignment involves a higher level of responsibility and may require specific training or experience. The work may include protecting a person, securing valuable property, or handling a location where the client wants a stronger security presence.

The estimates vary widely:

• Basic armed guard: $20–$25 per hour
• Common home-security range: $25–$50 per hour
• Higher-cost city or more demanding assignment: $35–$65 per hour
• Los Angeles armed security: $50–$100 or more per hour

So, if you're asking how much is private security per hour for an armed guard, $25 to $50 per hour is a reasonable starting range for a basic estimate. A quote can go higher when the guard has advanced experience, the area is expensive, or the assignment has unusual demands.

Ask what the quoted rate includes. For example, does it cover one armed guard for a fixed post, or does the company expect two guards? Is the guard expected to patrol, drive, respond to a problem, or protect a person? Those are very different jobs, even if they all appear under the label “armed security.”

What bodyguards and executive protection agents cost

A bodyguard is often priced differently from a guard assigned to a building or event. Executive protection usually means close protection for a specific person. The agent may need to stay with the client, travel between locations, manage access, and adjust to changing plans.

One estimate places executive protection companies at about $85 to $125 per hour for one qualified agent in the Bay Area. That figure is much higher than many basic unarmed or armed guard estimates because the service calls for a different type of work.

The final price may depend on:

• The agent’s experience
• The client’s schedule and travel plans
• Whether the agent is working alone or as part of a team
• The length and complexity of the assignment
• The location and number of places involved

There isn't one universal bodyguard rate. If you're asking, “How much should I pay my bodyguard?” the useful answer starts with the assignment, not a national average. A simple short assignment may receive a very different quote from a full-day executive protection schedule.

The available estimates also do not support a reliable claim about what any specific celebrity pays for bodyguards. For example, there is no confirmed figure here for what Kim Kardashian pays her security team.

Event, home, and off-duty security rates

The right rate depends partly on what the guard will do during the shift. A guard at a private home may monitor the driveway and entry points. An event guard may check tickets, watch crowd movement, control access, or respond to minor problems. An off-duty officer may provide a visible presence at a business, construction site, or private gathering.

Event security

For event work, one Los Angeles estimate lists:

• Unarmed event or day security: $25–$40 per hour
• Armed security: $35–$65 per hour
• Event security: $35–$55 per hour

Event pricing can be affected by the size of the crowd and the layout of the venue. A small private gathering may need one guard at an entrance. A larger event may require several posts, such as entrances, parking areas, backstage access, and guest areas.

That means how much does it cost to hire a security guard for an event cannot be answered by multiplying one hourly rate without first deciding how many guards you need. Three guards at $40 per hour cost more than one guard at $50 per hour.

Home security

Home-security estimates commonly place unarmed guards at $15 to $30 per hour and armed guards at $25 to $50 per hour.

A short-term home assignment might involve a guard during a move, a publicized event, a dispute, or a period when the homeowner wants someone on site. The quote may change if the guard must patrol a large property, work overnight, monitor several access points, or remain with a particular person.

For a quiet, fixed post, an unarmed guard may be enough. If the assignment calls for armed protection, the hourly rate will generally be higher.

Off-duty and short-term assignments

Short assignments can carry a different price than a recurring contract. A company may need to account for scheduling, travel, minimum shift lengths, or the challenge of filling a one-time request.

Before comparing quotes, ask whether the company has a minimum number of paid hours. A rate that looks low may still lead to a higher total if the provider requires a longer shift.

How location, experience, and assignment details affect the quote

Two security companies can give different prices for what sounds like the same service. That doesn't automatically mean one quote is wrong. The details may not be the same.

Location is one major factor. Estimates for many metropolitan areas often sit around $20 to $25 per hour for unarmed guards. Los Angeles figures are much broader, with private-security estimates ranging from $25 to $200 or more per hour. That wide range likely reflects the mix of services included, from basic guard work to highly specialized protection.

Experience also matters. A new guard assigned to a simple post may cost less than an experienced agent who protects a person or manages a changing schedule. If the work requires strong communication, detailed reports, driving, or close protection, ask whether the person assigned has that background.

The assignment itself can change the price. Tell the company:

• Where the guard will work
• Whether the guard will be armed
• How many hours are needed
• Whether the guard stays at one post or patrols
• How many people or entrances must be covered
• Whether driving or travel is involved
• Whether the assignment is one-time or recurring

Also ask whether the quote includes supervision, travel time, equipment, scheduling, and any required minimum. These details can explain why two hourly rates are far apart.

Estimating daily, 24-hour, and monthly private security costs

The simplest way to estimate a budget is:

Hourly rate × paid hours × number of guards = estimated guard cost

This gives you a starting point. It is not a guaranteed invoice total.

How much to hire a security guard for a day

For one guard working an eight-hour shift:

• At $20 per hour: $160
• At $30 per hour: $240
• At $40 per hour: $320
• At $50 per hour: $400

So, a basic eight-hour unarmed assignment may land around $160 to $320, while an armed assignment may be closer to $200 to $400 based on the ranges above.

If you need two guards, double the guard portion of the estimate. A four-hour event with three guards at $40 per hour would be $480 before any other charges.

How much does 24-hour security cost?

Twenty-four-hour coverage does not usually mean one person works continuously for 24 hours. You need to ask the company how it will staff the schedule. It may use several guards across shifts.

Using simple hourly math:

• One guard-hour rate of $20 for 24 hours: $480
• One guard-hour rate of $30 for 24 hours: $720
• One guard-hour rate of $50 for 24 hours: $1,200

Those figures represent continuous coverage for one guard position. If you need two guards on duty at the same time, the estimate doubles. Armed coverage or executive protection can raise it further.

Security guard cost per month

For a recurring schedule, multiply the hourly rate by the hours needed each week, then by the number of weeks in the billing period.

For example, one unarmed guard working eight hours a day, five days a week at $25 per hour would be:

• $25 × 8 hours = $200 per day
• $200 × 5 days = $1,000 per week
• $1,000 × 4 weeks = $4,000 for four weeks

A 24-hour post at $25 per hour would be $18,000 for four weeks before considering staffing details or other charges. That is the cost of one continuously covered position, not necessarily one individual guard.

Monthly contracts may have different terms, so use the math only to compare options. Ask for the actual schedule and a written monthly price.

Questions to ask private security companies before hiring

A clear quote should tell you what you're paying for. Before choosing among private security companies, ask:

1. Is the guard armed or unarmed?
2. How many guards are included in the price?
3. What experience does the assigned guard have?
4. What tasks are included during the shift?
5. Is there a minimum number of paid hours?
6. Are travel, equipment, supervision, or scheduling fees separate?
7. How would you staff overnight or 24-hour coverage?
8. Can the company provide references or details about similar assignments?
9. What happens if the assigned guard calls out?
10. Is the quote for a one-time job or a recurring contract?

You can also ask for the quote in writing with four details clearly shown: guard type, hours, location, and assignment requirements. That makes it much easier to compare a $25 hourly quote with a $50 one without overlooking what each company actually includes.