How much does security cost?
Unarmed security guards on XGuard typically cost $35 to $60 an hour. Armed guards run $55 to $95 an hour. Executive protection and close-protection specialists cost $85 to $180 an hour, reflecting training, risk exposure, and often a full protective detail rather than one person. Fire watch officers, hired when a building’s fire suppression system is impaired or during hot-work permits, cost $30 to $50 an hour. Bulk event staffing, unarmed crews of 10 to 500 for festivals, weddings, and stadium overflow, runs at whatever hourly rate the buyer sets, plus a 5% platform fee. Every rate above is set by the individual licensed provider, not by XGuard, and shown in full before you book, never behind a lead-generation quote form. Major metros such as New York, Los Angeles, and Miami tend to sit at the upper half of each range; smaller markets sit lower. The exact drivers and a city-by-city breakdown are below.
What drives security cost
Hourly rate ranges by service type
| Service | Typical rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Unarmed security guard | $35–$60/hr | Property patrol, retail, access control |
| Armed security guard | $55–$95/hr | Licensed to carry, higher-risk assignments |
| Executive protection / bodyguard | $85–$180/hr | Close protection, often a full protective detail |
| Fire watch officer | $30–$50/hr | NFPA-241 compliance: impaired suppression systems, hot-work permits |
| Bulk event staff | Buyer-set rate + 5% platform fee | Unarmed crews of 10–500 for festivals, weddings, stadium overflow |
Rates are set by each independent, licensed provider and shown in full before you book. XGuard does not set or mark up provider rates.
Cost by city
Rates follow the same national ranges everywhere on XGuard. Major metros tend to sit at the upper half of each range; smaller markets tend to sit lower. See the detail for these 10 cities.
Event security cost breakdown
Event security has its own cost dynamics on top of the base hourly rate: crowd-management certification requirements, insurance market hardening, and minimum staffing ratios written into event liability policies have all pushed event security budgets up in recent years. For the full breakdown of what changed and what to budget for a 2027 event, see the detailed article below.
Why event security costs rose in 2026How XGuard pricing differs from a lead-gen quote
Security cost questions, answered
How much does a security guard cost per hour?
On XGuard, unarmed guards typically run $35 to $60 an hour and armed guards run $55 to $95 an hour. The exact rate is set by the individual provider and shown in full before you book.
Why do armed guards cost more than unarmed guards?
Armed guards carry additional licensing, firearms training, and insurance requirements that unarmed roles don't, and those costs are priced into the higher hourly rate.
Is there a minimum number of hours I have to book?
Most providers set a minimum booking window, commonly a few hours per shift. The exact minimum for a given professional is shown on their profile before you confirm.
Does XGuard add a fee on top of the guard's rate?
Yes. XGuard charges a transparent flat platform fee, shown as a line item before you book, rather than folding it invisibly into the hourly rate.
How much does executive protection cost?
Executive protection and close-protection specialists on XGuard typically run $85 to $180 an hour, reflecting specialized training and the fact that assignments often involve a full protective detail rather than one guard.
How is XGuard's pricing different from getting a quote from a security company?
XGuard shows the provider's actual rate before you book, not an estimate collected through a lead form and followed up by a sales call. Payment is held in escrow and released after the shift is completed.