How Much Does A Security Guard Cost In 2025? Updated Rates & Pricing Factors

Crime is down in 2025- but why are security costs still rising?

You’ve seen the headlines- national crime rates have dropped in 2025. Property crime is down 16%, motor vehicle theft has fallen 30%, violent crime has ticked down by 14%, with murder and robbery counts both down 21%.

But talk to any business owner, event planner, or homeowner, and one sentiment dominates the conversation: UNCERTAINTY. Flash mob thefts, workplace violence, social unrest, and brazen home break-ins are uppermost in their minds. Shrinking crime statistics don’t eliminate the importance of proactive security- security services are more critical now than ever. So here’s what to know about security guard costs in 2025, private security rates in 2025, and the key pricing factors that drive those costs.

How Much Does A Security Guard Cost Now In 2025?

In 2025, the average hourly national rate for a security guard is $45-$60/hour. Rates charged are dependent on the types of services offered:

Basic unarmed guard	$15-20/hour
Basic armed guard	$20-25/hour
Advanced skill unarmed guard	$30-$35/hour
Advanced skill armed guard	$35-$45/hour
Experienced armed guard	$60-$100/hour

The cost of hiring a security guard is affected by other factors as well. First there is the consideration of using a security guard company vs. an independent security guard.
While directly hiring an independent contractor yourself may seem cheaper initially, you will then have to handle payroll, vetting and insurance. Hiring a security firm to do the work of background checking and insurance can be a savings in both time and money. Another perk is that a security firm will obtain replacement guards for you if there is an emergency or illness, while replacing an independent security guard is your problem if he calls in sick.

More factors that influence costs will be varied levels of training, experience and licensing-
guards with additional training and skills cost more (armed guards make up to $5-$10 more per hour than unarmed guards). Other increased levels of training and advanced skills can also command increased pay:

K9 handling	$35-$50/hour
Surveillance/tech proficiency	$35-$50/hour
Crisis management	$35-$50/hour
First Aid/EMT Certification	$35-$50/hour
Bodyguard-level protection training	$75-$150/hour
Off-duty police officers	$40-$60/hour

Cost also fluctuates based on the shifts that security personnel work- nighttime work typically costs 10%-25% more than standard hourly rates. Weekends will bump security services pricing by 5% to 15%, and holiday hourly pay is commonly doubled.

Here’s a look at how an hourly rate for a basic unarmed guard can fluctuate in different regions:

Rural areas (w/ lower wages & demand)	$18-$25/hour
Urban areas (mid-sized cities)	$25-$35/hour
Major Metro areas (higher costs & demand)	$35-$50/hour
High-risk zones (areas of crime/protest/unrest)	$40-$60/hour
Disaster-prone areas	$30-$45/hour

Security guards provide general security solutions to deter crime, maintain order and safeguard businesses, retail outlets, construction sites, and public spaces. They are used for patrols, theft prevention, crowd and access control, and surveillance. On the other hand, private security guards offer more advanced protection services tailored to safeguard individuals, families, or businesses with high risk profiles. (Another highly specialized branch of private security worth noting is that of private military contractors– or PMCs. They often operate in high-risk areas, like combat zones- with security/military services for governments or corporations).

But to better understand the differences in services, risk levels, and costs of the more common areas of security guard or personal protection, here’s these examples:

• A rock star attending a popular event in Hollywood might hire a 2 person armed (EP) executive protection team for $150/hour/guard. (Armed private security is the best security option here, based on the event’s high visibility. The event could attract stalkers, crowds, protesters, and opportunistic crime, with additional risks from venue vulnerabilities and alcohol/drug use of attendees or spectators).
• A retired CEO living in a gated community might only pay $45/hour for unarmed nightly security guard patrols. (Unarmed security guards are the prime choice for this lower risk secured environment, using car and foot patrols for proactive safeguarding of the property).

How Much Does Personal Protection Cost Now In 2025?

Private security guard services range from personal on-site residential security to private bodyguard services during work or travel. Prices for hiring bodyguard protection can range from $300 for a single booking to $500,000/year for round-the-clock security.

Some types of private security guard costs are:

• Personal bodyguards- (protection during daily activities, travel, or events)

Unarmed – $30-$70/hour

Armed – $50-$150/hour

• Executive protection- (may involve risk assessments, teams to protect VIPs, politicians) – $20,000-$75,000/month
• Celebrity protection- (manage stalkers, fans- often involves decoy cars & VIP transport) – $1,000-$3,000/day
• Residential or 24/7 protection- (requires rotating shifts or live-in teams) – $100,000-$500,000 annually
• Event or venue security- (for red carpet events, political rallies, concerts- costs vary with crowd size, risk and manpower needed) – $500-$5,000+/event

Personal protection cost can also increase with “hidden fees” such as background checks for guards ($100-$500/guard), travel accommodations ($500-$5,000/trip), insurance and liability ($1,000-$10,000/year), gear and equipment ($500-$3,000), or armored vehicle rental ($500-$2,000/day).

For reference, it is estimated that to employ a single personal bodyguard full-time would be $15,000-$30,000+/month. These figures are calculated from:

Base salary	$8,000-$15,000/month
Overtime/on-call pay	$2,000-$5,000/month
Insurance/other benefits	$1,000-$3,000/month
Administrative/background check	$500
Travel/expenses	$2,000+/month
Total————————————————————	$15,000-$30,000+/month

Both security guard companies and private protection companies offer different contract types that affect security and their pricing. These CONTRACT TYPES can be:

• One-day/short term contracts (minimum hours required)

For events, parties, or emergencies – $40-$70/hour

• Weekly packages (may offer discount or flat rate options)

Useful for temporary needs like protection during renovations – $30-$55/hour

• Monthly contract (better rate stability)

Used by small businesses, private residences – $25-$45/hour

• Long-term contract (often a bulk discount- more hours=lower per hour rate)

For HOAs, warehouses, corporate sites – $20-$40/hour

• Executive protection (includes planning, travel security, armed if needed)

Ideal for travel, VIP appearances – $500-$2,500+/day

That’s your overview of SECURITY GUARD COST 2025 and PRIVATE SECURITY COST 2025. This concise, up-to-date breakdown of the expenses associated with hiring security guards and private security is designed to help you make informed decisions about your security needs.

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