24 Hour Security Guard Cost: Clear Price Ranges for U.S. Budgets 2026
Buyers typically pay for 24 hour security guard services based on hourly rate, shift coverage, and site risk. The exact price hinges on guard credentials, site size, access control needs, and region. This article breaks down the cost and provides practical ranges to plan a budget for around-the-clock protection.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guard hourly rate (unarmed) | $15-$25 | $22-$35 | $40-$60 | Rates vary by region and experience |
| 24-hour coverage per guard | $360-$600 | $528-$840 | $720-$1,080 | Assumes one guard, 24/7 shift |
| Two-guard rotation (24/7) | $720-$1,200 | $1,056-$1,680 | $1,440-$2,160 | Common for higher risk sites |
| Armed guard premium | $20-$35 | $30-$50 | $70-$100 | Depends on state and licensing |
| Equipment and gear | $0-$50 | $15-$40 | $80-$150 | radios, vests, lanterns, etc. |
| Supervision / dispatch | $0-$20 | $5-$15 | $30-$60 | Usually included or billed as overhead |
| Travel or mileage | $0-$5 | $1-$3 | $10-$20 | Based on site distance |
Assumptions: Midwest labor rates, standard unarmed guards, standard site access, typical license requirements, and normal shift scheduling.
Typical 24 Hour Security Guard Rates By Region
Regional differences can swing price by 20% or more between rural, suburban, and urban markets. In the West and Northeast, unarmed guard rates commonly range from $22 to $40 per hour, while in the South and Midwest rates often land between $18 and $30 per hour. For armed guards, add a premium of roughly $15 to $40 per hour depending on state licensing and threat level.
Breakdown: Labor, Equipment, and Oversight Costs
Most contracts separate labor, equipment, and dispatch supervision into distinct line items. Typical lines include guard labor (per hour), basic gear (per shift), and supervisory or dispatch fees (per day). A compact example: one unarmed guard at $28/hour with $25 in gear adds about $1,000 monthly if overtime is avoided and travel is limited.
| Cost Component | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labor | $15/h | $28/h | $60/h | Unarmed rate varies by region |
| Equipment | $0/day | $20/day | $60/day | radios, vests, lights |
| Dispatch / Supervision | $0-$10/day | $5/day | $40/day | central monitoring or on-site supervisor |
| Travel | $0-$3/day | $1/day | $10/day | distance-based |
| Total daily cost (one guard) | $360 | $528 | $1,080 | Excludes long-term contracts and discounts |
Influential Variables That Shift the Price
Key drivers include guard qualifications and site risk level. The presence of armed guards, access control requirements, and the need for incident reporting or patrols every few minutes can push price higher. If the site requires constant interior patrols, expect a higher total than simple exterior surveillance. A longer contract term can reduce the effective daily rate through volume discounts.
Strongest Drivers: Size, Risk, and Shift Model
Three numeric thresholds commonly dictate pricing decisions. Site size measured in acres or building square footage, the risk category (low, medium, high), and the shift model (single guard 24/7 vs. dual-guard rotation) all change the quote. For example, a high-risk 20,000 sq ft site with armed guards and two-person patrols will exceed a low-risk single-guard setup on the same footprint.
Service Tiers From Basic Coverage to Premium Pro
Tier choice directly affects cost per day. Basic coverage typically covers on-site presence only, while Enhanced adds patrols and incident logging, and Premium includes real-time monitoring, rapid response coordination, and stricter access-control integration. Expect the daily price to rise by roughly 15%–40% when moving from Basic to Premium, depending on region and contract length.
Site Size and Risk: How They Change the Quote
Large facilities or elevated risk profiles drive higher quotes. A small retail storefront may cost less than a large warehouse or campus with multiple access points. For 24/7 coverage, pricing tends to scale with linear feet of patrol routes and number of entry points. A 5,000 sq ft site with 2 entry doors may cost substantially less than a 50,000 sq ft site with 8 doors and camera integration.
Ways to Cut 24 Hour Security Guard Expenses
Smart scope control and scheduling can trim costs without sacrificing safety. Consider consolidating shifts, using a guard rotation that aligns with peak risk hours, or substituting some patrols with remotely monitored cameras during low-risk periods. Choose standard gear over premium equipment unless needed for a specific threat.
Pricing Examples by Scenario
Realistic quotes help anchor budgeting across markets. Scenario A: small storefront, unarmed guards, 24/7 one-guard model. Scenario B: mid-size facility, two-guard rotation, basic patrols, unarmed. Scenario C: high-risk site, armed guards, enhanced monitoring. See table for typical ranges under each scenario.
table
ScenarioGuard TypeDaily CostMonthly RangeNotes
Scenario AUnarmed, 1 guard$360-$600$10,800-$18,000Small retail with 2 doors
Scenario BUnarmed, 2 guards$720-$1,200$21,600-$36,000Medium facility, office hours plus night
Scenario CArmed, 2 guards$1,000-$1,800$30,000-$54,000High-risk site, complex access