What Are the Costs of Hiring a Security Guard?

Security guards play an important role in keeping people and properties safe. Whether you're protecting a business, a residential building, or a special event, security guards can provide peace of mind and help prevent crime and theft. But before you hire a security guard, it's important to understand the costs involved to budget appropriately.

Salary and Benefits:

The biggest cost associated with hiring a security guard is the salary and benefits. Security guards typically earn an hourly wage, and the exact amount can vary depending on the type of security job and the location. On average, a security guard earns between $16 and $23 an hour, but this can be higher or lower depending on the location and the level of experience. In addition to the hourly wage, you'll also need to factor in benefits such as health insurance, retirement benefits, and paid time off.

Training and Licensing:

Before a security guard can start work, they must undergo training and obtain a security guard license. This can involve taking courses and passing an exam, and the cost can vary depending on the location and the type of training required. On average, training and licensing costs can range from $500 to $800, but this can be higher or lower depending on the location and the level of training required.

Equipment and Supplies:

Security guards may need to be equipped with various items such as a uniform, radio, flashlight, and other supplies. The cost of equipment and supplies can vary depending on the type of security job and the location, but on average it can range from $500 to $1000..

Background Checks:

Before hiring a security guard, it's important to conduct a thorough background check to ensure that the candidate is suitable for the job. This can involve checking their criminal record, work history, and references. The cost of a background check can range from $50 to $100, but this can be higher or lower depending on the level of detail required.

Insurance:

As an employer, you'll need to have liability insurance in place to protect yourself and your employees in case of accidents or injuries on the job. The cost of liability insurance can vary depending on the type of security job and the location, but on average it can range from $1,000 to $2,000 per year.

Overtime:

In some cases, security guards may need to work overtime, especially during special events or peak periods. Overtime pay can be higher than the regular hourly wage, and the cost of overtime pay can add up quickly if you need to hire security guards for an extended period of time.

Supervision and Management:

Finally, you'll need to factor in the cost of supervision and management for your security guard team. This can include the cost of a supervisor or manager to oversee the security guards, as well as the cost of scheduling and coordinating the security guards.

Hiring a security guard can be a significant investment, but it can also provide peace of mind and help prevent crime and theft. Before you hire a security guard, it's important to understand the various costs involved in order to budget appropriately. These costs can include salary and benefits, training and licensing, equipment and supplies, background checks, insurance, overtime, and supervision and management. By taking these costs into consideration, you can ensure that you're hiring the right security guard for your needs and budget.