Much of the new demand for private security services post-COVID has been driven by industries that do not have security guards built into their monthly budgets by default. The Guard Alliance has deployed armed, unarmed, and fire watch guards across the country since 2010 – it has been our experience that the post-2020 uptick comes from organizations who are sourcing private security for the first time.
As you can imagine, the question most people open with is, “What are your hourly rates?” Since we serve communities across the USA, we build customized pricing for each deployment rather than charging NYC rates for the Midwest and vice versa. If you are curious about rates in your region, or need guards at your job site today, consider completing our contact form.
The cost of hiring private security may not be intuitive for folks who’ve never hired guards before. We’ve put together this short article to provide some details on how all security companies build their pricing models, and what you can expect when you hire security or fire watch guards from The Guard Alliance.
What Factors Determine Cost?
Location, Location, Location
The process for becoming a security guard is different in each state. Some states, like California, require prospective guards to complete a state-approved training course before connecting with employers. Other states – Georgia, for example – allow new guards who meet basic requirements to be hired before training begins. Washington has a hybrid approach, as do some other states.
In short, some states require guards to have more credentials before they can be deployed to your job site. Guards with more credentials and experience charge more per hour for their services. This, coupled with the cost of living in different regions across the country, means that hourly rates for private security are widely different across the USA. Charging flat hourly rates regardless of location would be a disservice to our clients and our guards in the field.
What is Being Protected, and When?
Your job site could be in a quiet location in a low-crime neighborhood or a high-risk property where serious crimes have been committed (e.g., armed robbery, physical assault, and bodily harm). If security guards on the property are at risk of harm, customers can expect to pay more. As a rule, only the most trained and experienced guards should be deployed to high-risk properties.
Reputable and reliable security companies give their guards the option to accept or reject shifts. This means that 8-hour daytime shifts are popular, and hourly rates are quite competitive. Guards are less likely to take on night shifts and are especially reluctant to take shifts that last fewer than 8 hours. When hiring any security services, customers can expect to pay a premium for nighttime coverage, and for hourly rates to increase if shifts last less than 8 hours. The Guard Alliance does not deploy our guards for shifts lasting less than 8 hours.
What Will the Guard(s) Be Doing?
The more activity and responsibility the guard is required to perform, the higher their hourly rates will generally be. This begins with the basics: armed guards have more certifications, permits, and liabilities than their unarmed colleagues, and charge more per hour as a result. Likewise, if vehicle patrol or specialized training such as “Hot Work” fire watch certification is required on-site, the cost of hiring guards will scale accordingly.
Conducting access control for 8 hours is much different than patrolling an acre of property known for violent crime. If your job site’s risk profile is high, you should consider proper security measures a necessary investment. You should be skeptical of low-rate security solutions when guards are expected to take on high levels of risk or responsibility.
Think of the Savings!
Most first-time deployments for retailers, warehouses, and construction sites are in response to theft. In 2020, the average shoplifting incident cost retailers over $450, and according to the US Small Business Administration, incidents of vandalism cost over $3,000 on average. Small teams and entrepreneurs often bear the brunt of these costs and are increasingly sourcing private security as a cost-effective, proactive solution.
Other industries that are hiring private security in greater numbers include healthcare, education, and senior care. These organizations are less concerned about theft than they are about protecting personnel on site. When security is compromised and safety is threatened, long-term costs like decreased productivity, employee turnover, and legal proceedings can easily exceed $100,000 annually. By deploying well-trained security professionals, organizations can protect both their team members and their bottom lines.
Customized Pricing From The Guard Alliance
Clearly, the hourly cost of hiring a security guard is subject to many factors. At The Guard Alliance, we’ve chosen to embrace this fact rather than try to craft a one-size-fits-all approach. We’ll work with you to get a comprehensive sense of your job site’s risk profile, and build a custom quote based on guard requirements. Clients can expect to pay as little as $25 per hour for basic unarmed services, whereas some services may cost $85 per hour. Security and fire watch guards from The Guard Alliance are better qualified, and therefore better paid, than their competitors. When you hire The Guard Alliance, you can be assured of personalized service from your dedicated sales rep, and the highest level of professionalism from our guards in the field.
Contact The Guard Alliance
Do you have more questions about the cost of security or fire watch guards for your job site? Contact us for customized pricing. Our guards can deploy within hours in most major cities, making The Guard Alliance your best option if you need guards on-site today.
