How Much Does a Security Guard Cost in BC? 2026 Pricing Guide
How Much Does a Security Guard Cost in BC? 2026 Pricing Guide
Written by Paul Thandi, Operations Manager, On Guard Security Ltd. — 10+ years in BC security · Updated September 2026
Security guard cost is one of the first questions property managers, business owners and event planners ask us, and it's a fair one. The honest answer is that there's no single price: what you pay depends on how many hours you need, when those hours fall, what the guard has to do and whether you need someone on site or a patrol that visits. This guide explains the real cost drivers in BC, the billing models security companies use, what the public wage data says about guard pay, and why a contract rate is always well above a guard's hourly wage. It also shows how to get an accurate quote without paying for coverage you don't need.
Key takeaways
Security guard cost in BC is driven by hours, timing (nights, weekends, statutory holidays), the type of service and the site's risk, not by a fixed price list.
Static guards are usually billed per guard, per hour, often with a minimum shift length. Mobile patrol is usually billed per visit or per month.
Government of Canada Job Bank data shows a median wage of $22.75 an hour for security guards in BC (reference period 2023-2024, updated November 19, 2025). That's what guards earn, not what clients pay.
A contract rate also covers statutory payroll costs, WorkSafeBC premiums, required liability insurance, supervision, training, scheduling and 24/7 backup.
Unusually low quotes usually mean something is missing: licensing, insurance, supervision or reliable shift coverage.
Every security quote in BC is built from the same handful of variables. Once you know them, you can read any quote, compare providers fairly and see where your own requirements push the price up or down.
Total hours of coverage. The biggest factor by far. A guard for a four-hour event and a guard posted 24/7 all year are completely different budgets.
When the hours fall. Overnight, weekend and statutory holiday shifts cost more to staff, and holiday work carries premium pay under BC employment law.
Type of service. A static guard on site, a mobile patrol that visits several times a night, a fire watch with a timed log, a concierge at a front desk and an event team each have different staffing and billing structures.
Number of guards. Large sites, multiple entrances and events with crowds or alcohol may need more than one guard at a time.
Site risk and duties. A quiet office lobby is not the same post as a construction site with open perimeters or a store with an active theft problem. More complex duties need more experienced guards and closer supervision.
Contract length and notice. Ongoing contracts can be scheduled efficiently. Same-day or overnight requests have to be staffed at short notice.
Reporting and technology. GPS-tracked patrols, checkpoint scans, photo reports and daily activity reports all take time and systems to deliver.
Key insight: The fastest way to control security guard cost is to control hours. Matching coverage to when problems actually happen usually saves more than negotiating the hourly rate.
Most BC security companies use a small number of billing models. The table below shows how each common service is usually priced and what moves the number. It describes structure, not dollar figures, because rates depend on your site and schedule.
Service
How it's usually billed
What moves the price
Static (on-site) guard
Per guard, per hour, often with a minimum shift length
Hours, nights and holidays, number of posts, duties
Mobile patrol
Per visit, or a monthly fee for a set number of visits
Visits per night, time on site per visit, lock-up or unlock duties, distance on the route
Alarm response
Per call-out, sometimes with a monthly standby fee
Time of call, time spent securing the site, follow-up required
Fire watch
Per guard, per hour, usually with a minimum call-out
Patrol interval required, building size, how long the system is impaired, short-notice start
Event security
Per guard, per hour, with a minimum booking
Guest count, alcohol, entry points, event length, date (holidays and peak summer weekends)
Concierge security
Per hour, usually on an ongoing monthly contract
Front-desk hours, number of desks, service expectations
Mobile patrol is often the most budget-friendly option for sites that don't need someone there all the time. Our GPS-tracked mobile patrol is priced by the visit, so you pay for the checks your property actually needs. When a building's fire alarm or sprinkler system is out of service, our fire watch service is billed by the hour for as long as the impairment lasts.
The most reliable public benchmark is the Government of Canada's Job Bank, which publishes wage data for security guards and related security service occupations (NOC 64410). As shown on the Job Bank wage report (wages updated November 19, 2025; reference period 2023-2024; source: Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey):
British Columbia: low $18.25, median $22.75, high $32.00 per hour.
Lower Mainland–Southwest region: low $18.25, median $23.00, high $34.00 per hour.
Two points matter when you read these numbers. First, they are what guards are paid, not what a client is charged. Second, they cover a broad occupation group and a reference period that is now more than a year old. BC's general minimum wage is also adjusted every June 1 in line with the province's consumer price index under the Employment Standards Act, so the wage floor rises each year and quotes from previous years may be out of date.
Clients are sometimes surprised by the gap between a guard's wage and the hourly rate on a security contract. That gap isn't profit. It pays for everything that makes a guard legal, insured and reliable on your site:
Statutory payroll costs. Employer contributions to CPP and EI, vacation pay and statutory holiday pay.
WorkSafeBC premiums. Employers pay for workplace injury coverage for every guard.
Liability insurance. Under the Security Services Regulation, a licensed security business must carry general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000.
Licensing and training. Business and worker licences, basic security training, site orientation and ongoing training. Every new On Guard officer completes a week of one-on-one training with a senior officer before working independently.
Supervision and 24/7 support. Someone has to answer the phone at 3 a.m., check on guards and step in when something goes wrong.
Scheduling and backup. When a guard is sick, the company has to find a licensed, briefed replacement so your post is never left empty.
Uniforms, equipment, vehicles and reporting systems. Patrol vehicles, fuel, radios or phones, GPS tracking and report software.
Key insight: When you compare quotes, you're really comparing what's included. A lower hourly rate that leaves out supervision, backup coverage or insurance can cost far more the first time something goes wrong.
BC employment law directly shapes security guard cost for certain shifts. Under the Employment Standards Act:
Overtime: an employee who works over 8 hours in a day (without an averaging agreement) must be paid 1.5 times their regular wage for the time over 8 hours, and double for time over 12 hours.
Statutory holidays: an employee who works on a statutory holiday must be paid 1.5 times their regular wage for time worked up to 12 hours, double over 12 hours, plus an average day's pay.
Minimum daily hours: an employee who reports for work must generally be paid for at least 2 hours, or 4 hours if they were scheduled for more than 8 hours that day.
That's why security quotes often show holiday rates, why 12-hour shifts can cost more per hour than two 6-hour shifts, and why most companies set a minimum booking length for short call-outs. If your event falls on a statutory holiday or you need coverage over Christmas and New Year, expect the price to reflect it. For event budgets specifically, our private event security team can help you size the booking so you aren't paying for more guards or hours than the event needs.
A good quote comes from a good brief. Before you call any security company, write down:
The problem you're solving. Theft, trespass, vandalism, a fire system impairment, an insurer or venue requirement, or simply peace of mind for residents.
When it happens. If incidents cluster between midnight and 5 a.m., you may not need daytime coverage at all.
The site. Address, size, entrances, parking, lighting and anything unusual such as open construction perimeters or high-value stock.
Duties. Access control, patrols, lock-up and unlock, deliveries, customer service, fire watch logs, reports.
Start date and length. One night, one month, or ongoing.
Then ask each provider to quote the same scope. Ways to reduce cost without cutting protection include:
Swap a static guard for mobile patrol during low-risk hours.
Use a hybrid: a static guard during peak risk hours and patrol visits for the rest of the night.
Fix the basics first. Lighting, locks and fencing make each guard hour more effective.
Commit to a longer term if you know you'll need coverage for months, which lets the provider schedule efficiently.
Book early for events and holiday periods instead of at the last minute.
Low prices aren't automatically bad, but some signals deserve a closer look:
No licence details. Every security business and every guard in BC must be licensed. You can check both with the province's free security licence status verification tool.
No proof of insurance or WorkSafeBC coverage. Ask for certificates, not just a yes.
A price with no scope. If the quote doesn't state hours, duties, reporting and holiday rates, you can't compare it.
Guarantees. No honest provider can promise zero incidents.
No answer to "what happens when a guard calls in sick?" An empty post is the most expensive outcome of all.
On Guard Security Ltd. has worked across the Lower Mainland for more than 10 years from our Surrey office. Our guards are licensed and JIBC-trained, we're WorkSafeBC compliant and fully insured, and our team is available 24/7. We provide unarmed guards for static posts, mobile patrol, fire watch, events, concierge, construction sites and retail across Surrey, Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, Langley, Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley.
We'll look at your site, recommend the most efficient coverage and give you a transparent, no-obligation quote with the hours, duties and rates spelled out. Call 778-990-5070 or request a quote online.
A day of security is priced by the number of guard hours, not a flat day rate. Cost depends on how many hours and guards you need, whether the shift runs overnight or on a statutory holiday, the duties involved and any minimum booking length. Ask for a written quote that lists hours, rates and holiday premiums.
What is the hourly rate of a security guard?
Government of Canada Job Bank data shows BC security guards earn a median wage of $22.75 an hour (low $18.25, high $32.00; reference period 2023-2024, updated November 19, 2025). The hourly rate a client pays is higher because it also covers payroll costs, WorkSafeBC premiums, insurance, training, supervision and backup staffing.
How much does it cost to hire a security guard?
It depends on the service and schedule. Static guards are usually billed per guard per hour, mobile patrol per visit or per month, and fire watch and event security per hour with a minimum booking. The main cost drivers are total hours, nights and holidays, number of guards, site risk and contract length.
What is the security rate per hour for 2026?
There is no official security rate for 2026. Each company sets its own contract rates based on wages, payroll costs, insurance and overhead. BC's minimum wage is adjusted every June 1 in line with inflation, so rates generally move up each year. Get current written quotes rather than relying on older published figures.
How much does private security cost in Canada?
Private security costs vary by province, city, service type and schedule. Wages, employment standards and insurance rules differ across Canada, so there is no single national price. In BC, the key drivers are guard hours, timing, the type of service, site risk and the supervision and reporting you need.
How many security guards do you need per 100 people?
There is no universal guards-per-100-people rule. The right number depends on the venue layout, number of entrances, whether alcohol is served, the type of crowd and any venue, insurer or permit requirements. A security company should assess the event and recommend numbers, and follow any requirement set by the venue or local authority.
Google Review
Jack Willson
A pleasure to recommend company On Guard Security; mostly I enjoyed their quality services and effective response. They understand our security needs and able to ensure the best possible or professional services. Team members were professional, friendly experienced and highly approachable and live up to our expectations.
Google Review
James Cook
On guard security is my preferred choice when I need reliable security services. The team and professional service are unmatched. Their security guards and overall security are really dedicated. Recommend them for any security guard or private protection services!
Google Review
Patrick Parker
The reason I called on guard security is because they are local. They did not waste any time from the first phone call. I greatly appreciate the professionalism, service, and peace of mind offered by this security company.
Google Review
Thomas Chase
I was experiencing many incidences of shoplifting at my store and so I hired On Guard Security to provide professional guards. They did a fantastic job and now my business and merchandise are fully protected.
Google Review
Jon Wiltz
I was looking for a reliable and affordable security company for my clothing store and On Guard Security Ltd have done a fantastic job! I would definitely recommend them to fellow small business owners.
Google Review
Alan Cooper
I am happy with the performance of On Guard Security Staff assigned to our facilities. The guards respond quickly to needs and questions. I would definitely recommend this security company to others.
Google Review
~CrystalStarHomesLtd.
The guards were friendly and very cooperative. Excellent services with prices you can’t turn down. I had 24 hours security patrol on all sites. I would recommend OnGuard Security to anyone who’s looking for security services . Thanks so much Rajan really appreciate your services looking forward to meet again!
Google Review
~Jovan Dhillon
Very respectful staff, staff got to my site on time. Would book again
Google Review
~Aman Johal
I would highly recommend On Guard Security. We hired them for my brothers wedding and they provided great service. The staff always showed up on time.
Google Review
~Jason Powell
We used On Guard for our building while we were transitioning to our new intercom and entry system. They were always incredibly professional to deal with and the guards showed up well ahead of time and did a great job as we went through the process, which extended longer than expected. On Guard was also great at getting somebody on site the first night we needed them on very short notice. Overall, we were extremely happy with their service.
Google Review
~Balraj Malhi
Very good company to work with on gaurd ” Rajan is very proffesional and so are the guards. I would definetly reccomend On Guard security”Always Treat like a Famliy
Google Review
~kiran sohal
I hired on guard for my sisters wedding this past weekend, the guards were there 15 minutes early and made sure everything went smoothly , definitely will hire again
Google Review
~Sukh Brar
Provided an excellent service with my wedding events last week!! Very professional team of workers. Will definitely call for on guard’s services for future needs.
