You are comparing three security guard quotes for your warehouse in City of Industry. One says $22 an hour. Another says $35. A third comes in at $29 but the proposal is vague about what is included. You are not sure whether you are getting ripped off, getting a bargain, or about to make an expensive mistake. Sound familiar?
This guide breaks down what security guards actually cost in Los Angeles in 2026, what drives those numbers, and how to read a quote so you know exactly what you are paying for. We have been quoting security in this market since 1997 under PPO license 12958 — we will give you the same straight numbers we give every property manager who sits across the table from us.
What This Guide Covers
- 2026 security guard rates in Los Angeles (unarmed, armed, event, executive)
- What factors actually change the price
- The real math behind cheap quotes
- How to compare bids without getting burned
- Monthly cost examples for common property types
- Frequently asked questions about security guard pricing
Security Guard Rates in Los Angeles (2026)
Let’s start with the numbers. These are the ranges you should expect from a licensed, insured security guard company operating in the Greater Los Angeles area in 2026. If you are seeing rates well outside these ranges, something is off — either too good to be true or overpriced for the market.
| Service Type |
Hourly Rate |
Typical Use |
| Unarmed Security Guard |
$25 – $38/hr |
Shopping centers, medical offices, construction sites, apartment complexes, office buildings |
| Armed Security Guard |
$32 – $48/hr |
Warehouses with high-value inventory, dispensaries, jewelry stores, executive protection, remote sites |
| Event Security |
$30 – $55/hr |
Corporate events, weddings, concerts, private parties, fundraisers |
| Executive / Personal Protection |
$45 – $75+/hr |
CEOs, public figures, high-net-worth individuals, family protection |
| Mobile Patrol |
$45 – $70/hr |
Multi-site coverage, parking lots, after-hours property checks |
These rates reflect what legitimate, licensed companies charge in the LA market. They include the guard’s wages, payroll taxes, workers’ compensation insurance, general liability coverage, uniforms, training, supervision, and company overhead. The range within each category depends on the factors we cover in the next section.
Rates as of March 2026. California’s minimum wage is $16.50/hr as of January 2025, with many LA-area cities setting local minimums higher. Security guard wages in Los Angeles average $18–$22/hr for the guard — the client rate covers everything on top of that.
What Factors Affect Security Guard Cost?
Two properties across the street from each other can get very different quotes. That is not a sign of inconsistency — it is because the cost of security depends on specifics that change the real expense of providing the service.
Armed vs. unarmed. Armed guards cost more because they require additional BSIS licensing (exposed firearm permit), more training hours, higher insurance premiums, and more supervision. The premium is typically $7–$15 per hour above unarmed rates. Do not pay for armed security unless your risk profile calls for it — and do not skimp on it if your situation genuinely requires armed presence. Learn about armed security services →
Shift schedule and hours. Overnight shifts (typically 10 PM to 6 AM), weekends, and holidays carry a premium because it is harder to staff those hours with reliable, experienced guards. A daytime weekday post will always be cheaper than a Friday-through-Sunday graveyard shift. Longer weekly hours (40+) generally lower the per-hour cost because the company can assign a dedicated guard and reduce turnover.
Contract length. A one-year contract gives the security company predictable staffing, which means better rates for you. Month-to-month or short-term engagements cost more per hour because the company carries more scheduling risk. If you know you need ongoing security, locking in a longer term almost always saves money.
Number of guards. Multi-guard posts (two or more guards on the same site) sometimes get a volume discount. However, the savings are modest — each guard still has the same labor, insurance, and overhead cost. The real benefit of multiple guards is coverage, not a lower rate.
Site complexity. A single-entrance lobby post is straightforward. A 50-acre construction site with multiple access points, heavy equipment, and foot patrols requires more planning, more experienced guards, and more supervisory oversight. The complexity of the post order — the written instructions for each shift — directly affects cost.
Location within LA. A post in Downtown LA or Beverly Hills has a different labor market than a post in Lancaster or Bakersfield. Local traffic conditions, parking availability, and the commute time for guards all factor in. A site that is difficult for guards to get to reliably will cost more.
Monthly Cost Examples for Common Property Types
Hourly rates are useful for comparing bids, but what matters for your budget is the monthly number. Here are realistic monthly costs for common security setups in the LA area:
| Scenario |
Coverage |
Est. Monthly Cost |
| Shopping center in Hawthorne |
1 unarmed guard, evenings + weekends (40 hrs/wk) |
$4,300 – $6,100 |
| Warehouse in City of Industry |
1 unarmed guard, overnight 7 days (56 hrs/wk) |
$6,000 – $8,600 |
| Medical office in Garden Grove |
1 unarmed guard, weekdays 8 AM–6 PM (50 hrs/wk) |
$5,400 – $7,700 |
| Construction site in Long Beach |
1 armed guard, overnight + weekends (56 hrs/wk) |
$7,700 – $10,900 |
| Apartment complex in Downey |
1 unarmed guard, 24/7 coverage (168 hrs/wk) |
$18,100 – $25,900 |
| Corporate event in Beverly Hills |
3 guards, one evening (5 hours) |
$450 – $825 |
These are estimates based on current LA-area rates. Your actual cost will depend on the specifics of your property, schedule, and security requirements. The best way to get an accurate number is to have a security company visit your site and build a quote around your actual needs — not a guess from a phone call.
Get a Free Quote for Your Property →
Why the Cheapest Quote Is Usually the Most Expensive Mistake
If someone quotes you $18 or $20 an hour for a security guard in Los Angeles, do the math with them. Here is what it actually costs to put a legitimate, licensed guard on your property for one hour:
Guard wage: $18.00 – $22.00
Payroll taxes (FICA, FUTA, SUTA): ~$2.50
Workers’ compensation: ~$3.00 – $5.00
General liability insurance: ~$1.00 – $2.00
Uniforms, equipment, training: ~$1.00
Supervision and overhead: ~$2.00 – $3.00
Minimum real cost per hour: $27.50 – $35.00
A company quoting $20 an hour is either losing money on your account (and will cut corners to make it up), not carrying proper insurance, not paying workers’ comp, paying guards below market rate (which means high turnover and low quality), or some combination of all four. That is not a bargain. That is a liability sitting on your property in a uniform.
Here is what actually happens when you hire the cheapest option: The guard no-shows on the third week. The replacement does not know your property. The company stops sending supervisors. Incident reports stop coming. Your tenants start complaining again. You fire them and start the search over — except now you have lost two months and paid for security that was not actually keeping anyone safe.
A few extra dollars per hour buys you guards who stay, who know your building, and who actually prevent the incidents you are paying to avoid. That is the math that matters.
5 Security Spending Mistakes That Cost More Than They Save →
How to Compare Security Guard Quotes
You have three proposals on your desk. Here is how to evaluate them beyond the hourly rate.
1. Check the license. Every proposal should include a PPO license number. Go to search.dca.ca.gov and verify it is active, current, and has no complaints. If a company does not include their license number in the proposal, that is a red flag. Our license is PPO-12958.
2. Confirm insurance and workers’ comp. Ask for a Certificate of Insurance showing at least $1 million per occurrence in general liability. Separately confirm they carry workers’ compensation. If a guard gets injured on your property and the company has no workers’ comp, you could be on the hook for medical bills and lost wages.
3. Ask what the rate includes. Does the hourly rate cover supervision? Guard monitoring and check-ins? Replacement if a guard calls out? Incident reporting? Post order development? Some companies quote a low base rate and charge extra for everything else. Get the all-in number.
4. Ask about the site visit. Any company that quotes you over the phone without visiting your property is guessing. A real quote starts with a site walk where they assess entry points, lighting, patrol routes, camera placement, and risk areas. No site visit means no real plan — which means no real security. What to know before hiring →
5. Ask about guard turnover. High turnover means a new face on your property every few weeks — someone who does not know the building, the tenants, or the post order. Ask the company what their average guard tenure is. If they cannot answer that question, you have your answer.
6. Read the cancellation terms. Some companies lock you into long contracts with steep early-termination fees. Others charge month-to-month with 30-day notice. Know what you are signing before you sign it.
10 Questions to Ask Before Signing a Security Contract →
Scaife Protection — Transparent Pricing, No Surprises
We have been quoting security in Los Angeles since 1997. Our PPO license is 12958 — look it up. We carry over $1 million in general liability coverage and full workers’ compensation on every guard. When you call us, here is what happens:
We schedule a site visit. We walk your property with you. We look at everything — entry points, lighting, patrol routes, risk areas, your daily operations. Then we build a custom post order and a quote that reflects what your property actually needs. Not a template. Not a phone estimate. A real plan with a real number.
Our pricing is competitive for the LA market because we are efficient, we retain good guards, and we do not waste your money on unnecessary overhead. We are not the cheapest and we are not trying to be. We are trying to be the company you never have to replace.
Learn More About Scaife Protection →
Frequently Asked Questions About Security Guard Costs
How much does it cost to hire a security guard in Los Angeles?
In 2026, unarmed security guards in Los Angeles cost $25 to $38 per hour and armed guards cost $32 to $48 per hour. Event security runs $30 to $55 per hour and executive protection starts at $45 to $75+ per hour. These rates include wages, payroll taxes, workers’ compensation, liability insurance, training, and supervision. For a quote based on your specific property, call (323) 786-8140 or use our free quote tool.
Why do security guard rates vary so much?
Rates vary based on armed vs. unarmed, shift timing (nights and weekends cost more), contract length, number of guards, site complexity, and location within LA. A straightforward daytime lobby post costs less than an armed overnight patrol at a remote construction site. The factors that change the price are the factors that change the real cost of providing the service.
Is it cheaper to hire security guards directly or through a company?
Hiring guards directly may seem cheaper on paper, but you take on the full burden of payroll taxes, workers’ compensation insurance, liability coverage, background checks, BSIS licensing compliance, training, scheduling, and management. For most businesses, using a licensed security guard company (PPO) is more cost-effective when you factor in total liability and management time. The company handles compliance, insurance, scheduling, and replacement coverage — which is what you are really paying for.
How much does 24/7 security cost per month?
24/7 security coverage requires 168 hours per week (three 8-hour shifts, seven days). At unarmed rates of $25–$38 per hour, that works out to approximately $18,100 to $25,900 per month. Armed 24/7 coverage runs $23,200 to $32,800 per month. Most properties do not need true 24/7 coverage — a site visit will help determine the actual hours and schedule that make sense for your risk level and budget.
How much does event security cost in Los Angeles?
Event security in Los Angeles typically costs $30 to $55 per hour per guard. A small corporate event with two guards for five hours might cost $300 to $550. A large event with six guards for eight hours could run $1,440 to $2,640. Factors include guest count, venue layout, whether alcohol is served, and whether armed or unarmed guards are needed. For same-day event security needs, call (323) 786-8140. Event security services →
What should I watch out for in a security guard quote?
Watch for quotes that do not include a PPO license number, quotes given without a site visit, rates significantly below $25/hr for unarmed (the math does not work at that price), vague language about what is included, no mention of workers’ compensation or liability insurance, and steep early termination fees. A legitimate company will be transparent about every line item. 7 red flags of a bad security company →
Do security guard companies charge extra for holidays?
Most companies charge a premium for major holidays — typically 1.5x the standard rate. This reflects overtime pay requirements under California labor law. If your property needs coverage on holidays, ask about holiday rates upfront so there are no surprises on the invoice. Some companies build holiday premiums into the base rate for year-round contracts.
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