How And Why To Start A Security Company In 2025

I really enjoy doing dead-end work for my unhelpful bosses, making no real money at it, and never getting ahead…”

Said no one ever. 

You are someone that has long dreamed of running your own security guard company.  You know you can do security work better than what you’ve seen out there- doing things your way. You certainly know you’d be a better boss than some of your own past ones. You can see there’s better money to be made in the skyrocketing security industry, doing work you’re good at and truly enjoy. Your dream is to be your own boss of your own security guard company, and provide security services- the right way.

But you have a million serious questions about HOW to start a private security company of your own. How    much does it cost to start a security company? How long does it take to get the licenses and permits? What about the type of training and knowledge needed in my state)? What are the details about how to hire guards, or even how to train guards? How about finding clients? There are so many more questions… And this is where The City Guards can help you.

We at The City Guards are passionate experts dedicated to helping security businesses operate at their maximum potential- we understand the proven paths to success.We have insight and information to offer entrepreneurs like you that want to establish their own successful security guard companies. We can show you:

A step-by-step roadmap to success.

• The market and how to stand out from competitors.
• How to navigate local regulations and avoid costly mistakes.
• The best ways to price your services for maximum profit.
• Strategies to secure high-paying clients and long-term contracts.
• Tips to hiring reliable guards and reducing turnover.

The City Guards can guide you on your entrepreneurial journey toward business startup success. Here’s where we begin:

Before tackling HOW to start a security company, you may first want to review WHY to start a security company and WHO should start a security company. This review will help you to then confidently solidify your decision to launch your own security guard business. You can finally take those first steps toward becoming an entrepreneur business owner who builds a successful and profitable startup in 2025.

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WHAT ARE 5 GREAT REASONS YOU SHOULD START YOUR OWN SECURITY GUARD COMPANY IN 2025?

1- You have a dream.

You’ve got the motivation and vision- because you have long dreamed of starting your own security guard company. You know you can do security work better than what you’ve seen out there- doing things your way. You certainly know you’d be a better boss than some of your own past ones. Your dream is to advance your career, be your own boss of your own security guard company, and provide security services the right way!

2. You like security work

You find security work enjoyable and rewarding. Maybe you’ve already worked as a security guard for someone, or maybe you’ve worked in a security-related field such as the military or police work. The world of security services is something you are good at and understand!

There are also side benefits to having your own security business. Along with personal financial stability, your services will contribute to your community’s local economy and bring increased safety and crime-deterrence to its residents and businesses. You’d be very proud of that.

3. Startup costs are relatively lower than many other businesses.

A relatively small $20,000 investment in your entrepreneurial dreams could end up making you a sizable profit. Depending on your location, your investment range for a small company to startup can be from $13,050 to $25,600 (the average being around $19,325). This includes a website setup, business cards/brochures, uniforms, labor and operation budget. (Variables impacting these costs would be firearms, training, security guard licensing, and office space if required by your state). Not all businesses have such affordable startup costs.

4. Security is a BOOMING business- you could definitely find your own niche.

Look at the US security services market- it was worth about $5.94 BILLION in 2024. To get an idea of the growth, the industry has expanded 42% in the last decade, and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 11.20% between 2025 and 2034. Security businesses range from in house security for organizations, government contracted elites for military centers and courthouses, or contract private security services. Contract services are the bulk of security services, and there are many categories of guard work here (armed, unarmed, plainclothes, patrols, remote video surveillance, personal protection, residential, industrial, retail, corporate, or event security). Security system installation/maintenance is another vital service direction. Also rapidly growing cyber security is the latest lucrative job trend with much business potential. There IS a niche market ready for you in the security industry.

5. You can make good money at it.

While costs do vary by location, the average rate for a security guard company to charge is $40/hour/guard. If you pay your guards $15-$20/hour, then figure in other costs such as rent, overhead and insurance, you should have a profit margin of about 20%. Think about it…In your first year if you got 100 guard hours of work/week, your annual revenue would be around $208,000 (with a $42,000 profit assuming that 20% margin). Those numbers only go up as you fine-tune your product. Your own security business could be very profitable for you.

WHO SHOULD START A SECURITY COMPANY?

So you have the dream, motivation, and vision for establishing your own security services company- but are you eligible to do it? 

Every state has its own requirements. The City Guards offers a comprehensive state by state breakdown- making it easy for you to explore your state’s requirements for application as a security company owner. Knowing the startup terms of your state is your first step to becoming your own boss at your own business. It’s FREE to check your state eligibility at the link here. The City Guards have the information you need to begin your first step towards making money at your own successful security business, doing work you truly enjoy. No more dead-end work for unhelpful bosses, while not making real money or getting ahead.