Pricing Guide
Security Guard Cost in Houston — 2026 Rates
Unarmed guards start at $25/hr. Armed guards start at $30/hr. Below is the full breakdown for every security service in the Houston market — guards, alarms, cameras and executive protection.
Security Guard Hourly Rates
Guard rates in Houston depend on three things: armed vs. unarmed, the assignment type and the contract length. Here's what you'll actually pay.
| Guard Type | Hourly Rate | 8-Hour Shift | Weekly (40 hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unarmed Guard | $25–55/hr | $200–440 | $1,000–2,200 |
| Armed Guard | $30–60/hr | $240–480 | $1,200–2,400 |
| Mobile Patrol | $28–50/hr | $224–400 | $1,120–2,000 |
| Event Security | $30–55/hr | $240–440 | Per event |
| Executive Protection | $200–500/hr | $1,600–4,000 | Custom |
Rates are for the Houston metro area as of early 2026. Overnight shifts (10pm–6am) typically add $3–5/hr. Holiday rates add 1.5x. Long-term contracts (6+ months) get 10–15% discounts.
What Affects Guard Pricing
- → Armed vs. unarmed. Armed guards cost $5–15/hr more. They carry a Level III Texas DPS certification, firearms training and additional insurance coverage. Unarmed guards handle most commercial and residential assignments.
- → Shift timing. Day shifts (6am–6pm) are cheapest. Evening and overnight shifts add a premium because fewer guards want those hours. Weekend overnight is the most expensive shift.
- → Contract length. A one-night event guard costs more per hour than a 6-month warehouse contract. Longer commitments mean lower rates. Most companies offer volume discounts at 3, 6 and 12-month terms.
- → Location risk. A guard stationed at a quiet office lobby costs less than one posted at an active construction site in a high-crime area. Risk level affects insurance costs, which get passed through.
- → Special certifications. TWIC card holders (required for port/maritime facilities), CPR-certified guards and officers with fire watch training command higher rates.
Alarm System Costs
| System Type | Installation Cost | Monthly Monitoring | Year 1 Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Home (doors/windows) | $600–900 | $20–35/mo | $840–1,320 |
| Home + Motion Sensors | $900–1,500 | $30–45/mo | $1,260–2,040 |
| Smart Home Integration | $1,200–2,000 | $40–60/mo | $1,680–2,720 |
| Commercial (small office) | $1,500–3,000 | $40–60/mo | $1,980–3,720 |
| Commercial (warehouse/retail) | $3,000–5,000+ | $50–100/mo | $3,600–6,200 |
Monitoring contracts are typically 12–36 months. Central station monitoring (live dispatch) costs more than self-monitored systems. Ask about monitoring contract terms before signing.
Security Camera System Costs
| System | Camera Count | Installed Cost | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Basic | 2–4 cameras | $1,000–2,000 | 1080p, night vision, app viewing |
| Home Premium | 4–8 cameras | $2,000–4,000 | 4K, AI detection, 30-day storage |
| Small Business | 4–8 cameras | $2,500–5,000 | Commercial-grade, POE, NVR |
| Commercial/Industrial | 8–32 cameras | $5,000–15,000+ | PTZ, license plate, analytics |
Real Cost Examples
Small retail store — Galleria area
1 unarmed guard, Friday–Sunday evenings (6pm–12am), 18 hours/week at $28/hr = $504/week or $2,016/month. Added 4-camera system: $2,800 one-time install.
Construction site — Beltway 8 corridor
1 armed guard, overnight 7 days/week (6pm–6am), 84 hours/week at $35/hr = $2,940/week or $12,768/month. 6-month contract brings it to ~$11,000/month.
HOA community — Sugar Land
Gate attendant + mobile patrol, 24/7 coverage (3 shifts), unarmed at $27/hr = $4,536/week or ~$19,700/month. Split across 400 homes = $49/month per household.
Home alarm + cameras — West University
Alarm system install: $1,100. 6-camera IP system: $3,200. Monthly monitoring: $45/mo. Year 1 total: $4,840. Year 2+: $540/year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a security guard cost in Houston?
Unarmed guards run $25–55/hr depending on the assignment. Armed guards cost $30–60/hr. A typical 8-hour shift for an unarmed guard is $200–440. Long-term contracts (3+ months) usually get 10–15% off the hourly rate.
Is it cheaper to hire a guard or install cameras?
Cameras are cheaper long-term. A $3,000 camera system pays for itself in 6–8 weeks compared to a guard at $30/hr. But cameras don't physically stop anyone — they record evidence. High-risk sites need both. Low-risk properties often do fine with cameras and an alarm alone.
Do security companies require a contract?
Guard services vary — some companies require 30-day minimums, others work event-by-event. Alarm monitoring almost always requires a 12–36 month contract. Camera installations are typically one-time purchases with no ongoing contract (unless you add cloud storage).
What's the difference between Level II and Level III guards?
Level II is unarmed — 6 hours of training, observation and reporting duties. Level III is armed — 15 additional hours of firearms training plus range qualification. Level III guards cost more because of the training, insurance and liability involved. Most commercial and residential assignments use Level II.
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