Table of Contents
- Understanding Security Guard Service Costs Across Canada
- Factors That Influence Security Guard Rates in Canada
- Specialized Security Services Pricing
- Regional Cost Breakdown Across Canada
- Conclusion
Key takeaways
- Security guard services cost varies from $15 to $60 per hour, depending on location, experience, and service type.
- Unarmed guards start at $15-$35 per hour, while armed guards cost $35-$70 per hour where legally permitted.
- Specialized services, such as event, corporate, and construction security, can exceed $70–100 per hour in high-risk environments.
- Monthly contracts and bundled service packages often deliver better value than hourly rates alone.
When it comes to protecting your business, property, or event in Canada, understanding the cost of security guard services is crucial for making informed decisions. The investment in professional security services varies significantly across the country, influenced by numerous factors that can impact your overall budget.
The average cost to hire a security guard in Canada can range between $15 – $60 per hour, with variations depending on location, service type, and specific requirements. This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about security guard pricing across Canada in 2025.
Understanding Security Guard Service Costs Across Canada
In larger metropolitan areas such as Toronto, you should expect to pay $25 – $35 per hour for security guard services, while rates can vary significantly in other regions. Here’s what the current market shows:
Basic Security Guard Services Cost:
- Unarmed Security Guards: Starting at $15 per hour in most regions
- Standard Security Guards: $20-$35 per hour
- Experienced Guards: Between $35 to $50 per hour
- Specialized Security: Up to $70 per hour in downtown areas
The average cost of security guard in Canada reflects both regional variations and service complexity. Basic security guard services with annual contracts start from $33.95 per hour, while specialized services command premium rates.
Factors That Influence Security Guard Rates
1. Geographic Location Impact
Location plays a pivotal role in determining the prices. Here’s how different regions compare:
Major Metropolitan Areas:
- Toronto: Security companies can charge up to $60 CAD per hour per guard for their services in downtown areas, while in suburban areas, you’ll rarely pay more than $30 per hour
- Vancouver: $30-$55 per hour
- Calgary: $25-$45 per hour
- Montreal: $22-$40 per hour
Smaller Cities and Rural Areas:
- Generally 20-30% lower than major metropolitan rates
- Limited availability may affect pricing
- Travel costs may be added for remote locations
2. Service Type and Specialization
The type of security guard service significantly impacts the hourly rate for security guards in Canada:
Unarmed vs Armed Security: The cost of hiring an armed vs unarmed security guard shows substantial differences. Unarmed Guards can cost you $15-$35 per hour, whereas Armed Guards may go up to $35-$70 per hour (where legally permitted). Additional licensing and insurance requirements increase armed guard costs.
Mobile Patrol Security: The cost of mobile patrol security in Toronto can reach $10,000, depending on the frequency of need and additional features required. Mobile patrol security costs typically range from $45-$65 per hour (for basic mobile patrol) to $60-$85 per hour when hiring advanced patrol with reporting. However, 24/7 patrol services may cost upto $8,000-$15,000 monthly.
3. Experience and Training Level
Professional security guard services pricing varies based on guard qualifications:
- Entry-Level Guards with 0-2 years of experience may cost $15-$22 per hour, having basic security training certification
- Experienced Guards having 3-5 years of experience may cost $25-$35 per hour with advanced training certifications and specialised skill sets.
- Senior/Supervisory Guards usually have more than 5 years of experience and may cost $35-$50 per hour. These guards come with leadership and management capabilities and multiple certifications and specializations.
Specialized Security Services Pricing
1. Corporate Security Guard Services
Corporate security guard services pricing typically involves:
Standard Corporate Security:
- Reception/lobby security: $25-$35 per hour
- Floor security: $22-$32 per hour
- Executive protection: $45-$75 per hour
High-Security Corporate Environments:
- Financial institutions: $35-$55 per hour
- Government facilities: $40-$65 per hour
- Technology companies: $30-$50 per hour
2. Event Security Pricing
Event security guard cost varies by event type and complexity:
For Small Events (Under 100 people): Basic event security costs $25-$35 per hour with a minimum 4-hour commitment typically required
For Large Events (500+ people):
- Crowd control specialists: $35-$50 per hour
- VIP protection: $50-$80 per hour
- Coordination and supervision: $45-$65 per hour
Concert and Festival Security:
- General security staff: $30-$45 per hour
- Stage and artist protection: $60-$100 per hour
- Emergency response teams: $55-$75 per hour
3. Construction Site Security
Construction site security guard rates depend on site complexity and risk level:
Basic Construction Security:
- Access control: $20-$30 per hour
- Equipment monitoring: $22-$32 per hour
- Night shift premiums: Additional 10-15%
High-Value Construction Projects:
- Equipment protection: $30-$45 per hour
- Material theft prevention: $35-$50 per hour
- Multi-site coordination: $40-$60 per hour
Regional Cost Breakdown Across Canada
Ontario Security Guard Costs
How much a security guard costs in Ontario varies by city and service type:
1. Toronto Area:
- Downtown core: $30-$70 per hour
- Suburban areas: $25-$40 per hour
- Average hourly salary for security guard jobs in Ontario is $15.10 (employee wages, not service rates)
2. Ottawa Region:
- Government sector: $35-$55 per hour
- Private sector: $25-$40 per hour
- Bilingual requirements may add 10-15% premium
Western Canada Pricing
Security guard hourly rate Calgary and other western cities:
1. Calgary:
- Oil and gas sector: $35-$55 per hour
- Commercial properties: $25-$40 per hour
- Industrial facilities: $30-$50 per hour
2. Vancouver:
- Downtown commercial: $35-$60 per hour
- Residential complexes: $25-$35 per hour
- Port and logistics: $40-$65 per hour
Eastern Canada and Quebec
Average pay for security guard services BC and Atlantic provinces:
Montreal:
- Bilingual services: $25-$45 per hour
- English-only services: $20-$35 per hour
- Festival and event security: $30-$55 per hour
Maritime Provinces:
- Halifax: $20-$35 per hour
- Smaller cities: $18-$28 per hour
- Industrial and port security: $25-$40 per hour
Conclusion
Understanding security guard services cost in Canada requires careful consideration of multiple factors, including location, service type, and specific business needs. With rates ranging from $15-$60 per hour, depending on requirements, investing in professional security services provides valuable protection for your business, property, and people.
The key to finding the best value lies in clearly defining your security needs, comparing comprehensive service packages rather than just hourly rates, and partnering with licensed security companies that demonstrate proven expertise and reliability.
Ready to secure your business with professional security guard services? Contact SecuriSquad today for a comprehensive security assessment and customized quote tailored to your specific needs and budget. Our experienced team will help you find the perfect balance between security effectiveness and cost efficiency.
FAQs
With security guard services ranging between $15-$60 per hour, a full-time security guard (160 hours monthly) costs between $2,400-$9,600 per month. Most businesses pay $4,000-$6,500 monthly for professional security services, including all associated costs.
Key factors include geographic location, service type (armed vs unarmed), guard experience level, shift timing, contract duration, and specialized requirements. Metropolitan areas like Toronto typically cost $25-$35 per hour, while rural areas may be 20-30% less expensive.
Long-term surveillance systems may have lower ongoing costs ($30-$200 monthly) compared to security guards ($4,000-$6,500 monthly). However, security guards provide human judgment, customer service, and immediate response capabilities that cameras cannot match.
Yes, most security companies charge premiums for non-standard hours: evening shifts (10-15% extra), night shifts (15-25% extra), weekends (10-20% extra), and holidays (25-50% extra). These premiums compensate for the higher costs of staffing during off-peak hours.
Mobile patrols cost $45-$65 per hour but cover multiple locations, making them cost-effective for businesses with several sites or low-risk properties. Static guards ($25-$45 per hour) provide continuous presence and are better for high-traffic or high-risk locations.
Standard rates typically include the guard’s wages, basic equipment, supervision, scheduling, and basic reporting. Additional services like specialized training, technology integration, detailed reporting, or emergency response capabilities may incur extra charges.
Unarmed security guards typically start at $15 per hour, while armed guards cost $35-$70 per hour where legally permitted. The higher cost reflects additional licensing, training, insurance, and liability requirements for armed security personnel.
Annual contracts typically offer 15-25% cost savings compared to hourly rates. Basic security guard annual contracts start from $33.95 per hour, providing rate stability, priority scheduling, and often include additional services at no extra cost.