How much does armed security guards cost in the US?

Reference price: $10,800 – $17,300 USD per guard post/month (pre-tax). Armed post = unarmed × ~1.35 (armed license/permit, firearms qualification, higher wage and insurance). Billed roughly $30–$48/hr; a 12h daily post runs ~$10,800–$17,300/month.

Range estimated from the cost model; request quotes for an exact price.

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Cost floor: the loaded labor cost of a 12-hour guard post is roughly $7,900/month. Distrust quotes far below that: they usually mean staff without insurance or benefits, or an unlicensed operator.

Armed Security Guards prices by city

Los Angeles

$12,000 – $20,000 USD per guard post/month

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Sacramento

$11,000 – $17,000 USD per guard post/month

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San Diego

$12,000 – $19,000 USD per guard post/month

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San Jose

$13,000 – $21,000 USD per guard post/month

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San Francisco

$14,000 – $22,000 USD per guard post/month

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Riverside

$10,000 – $16,000 USD per guard post/month

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Irvine

$12,000 – $19,000 USD per guard post/month

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Anaheim

$12,000 – $19,000 USD per guard post/month

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Fresno

$9,700 – $16,000 USD per guard post/month

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Oakland

$12,000 – $20,000 USD per guard post/month

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Long Beach

$12,000 – $19,000 USD per guard post/month

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Bakersfield

$9,700 – $16,000 USD per guard post/month

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Chicago

$12,000 – $19,000 USD per guard post/month

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Pre-tax reference prices. Bay Area markets (San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland) reflect the highest prevailing wages in the country.

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Questions about armed security guards pricing

How much does armed security guards cost in the US?

The reference price runs from $10,800 to $17,300 USD per guard post/month, pre-tax. Armed post = unarmed × ~1.35 (armed license/permit, firearms qualification, higher wage and insurance). Billed roughly $30–$48/hr; a 12h daily post runs ~$10,800–$17,300/month.

What factors change the price of armed security guards?

The city (prevailing wages and cost of living), the schedule and coverage required, armed vs unarmed staffing, officer profile and experience, and the risk level of the site. That's why it pays to compare several quotes.

Why should I distrust a very cheap quote?

The loaded labor cost of a single 12-hour post is roughly $7,900 per month (a $16/hr market wage + payroll taxes, workers' comp, insurance, uniforms and supervision). A rate far below that usually means staff without insurance or benefits, or an unlicensed operator — a legal risk for the client.

Do the prices include tax?

These are pre-tax reference prices. Whether sales tax applies to security services depends on the state; each company's formal quote will itemize any applicable taxes.

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