What security guards cost in Seattle.
Real hourly rates from Washington's statewide guard contract, 16 companies per area, turned into monthly costs for western Washington.
How much does a security guard cost in Seattle?
On Washington's statewide guard contract, the median rate for an unarmed security guard inside Seattle is $38.55 an hour across 16 companies (from $33.86 to $55.40), and $51.30 an hour for an armed guard. One unarmed guard 8 hours a night, every night, comes to about $9,380 a month; around the clock, about $28,140.
Watched cameras for about a tenth of a guard
One unarmed guard in Seattle costs about $9,380 a month for 8 hours a night at the median state rate, and sees one post. 911 Sentinel camera monitoring covers the same 8 hours from $900 a month, camera and installation included, and watches every camera at once: an alert in 30 seconds and an operator acting within 3 minutes. No one is confronted: a recorded warning, siren, and spotlights, then your team, then the police.
Hourly rates by area
These are the standard rates guard companies bill public agencies under Washington's statewide contract for security guard services. It is the most complete public price list for Washington guard companies we know of, and many of the same companies sell to private property owners.
| Area | Companies | Unarmed (median) | Unarmed (range) | Armed (median) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle (city limits) | 16 | $38.55 | $33.86–$55.40 | $51.30 |
| King County | 16 | $38.59 | $30.85–$56.55 | $49.57 |
| Snohomish County | 16 | $37.06 | $32.06–$59.74 | $49.25 |
| Pierce County | 16 | $36.53 | $32.90–$49.00 | $51.41 |
| Tacoma (city limits) | 16 | $36.53 | $32.13–$49.00 | $51.41 |
| Kitsap County | 16 | $36.53 | $32.06–$51.41 | $51.41 |
| Thurston County | 15 | $35.57 | $32.06–$49.00 | $51.41 |
What that means per month
| Area | 8 hours a night | 24 hours a day |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle (city limits) | $9,380 | $28,140 |
| King County | $9,390 | $28,170 |
| Snohomish County | $9,020 | $27,050 |
| Pierce County | $8,890 | $26,670 |
| Tacoma (city limits) | $8,890 | $26,670 |
| Kitsap County | $8,890 | $26,670 |
| Thurston County | $8,660 | $25,970 |
Monthly figures are the median hourly rate times the hours, times 365 days, divided by 12, rounded to the nearest $10.
What adds to the bill
- Short notice: the contract's rapid-response rate in Seattle has a median of $54.26 an hour.
- A patrol vehicle: billed on top of the guard, a median of $13.85 an hour in Seattle.
- An armed guard: about $12.75 an hour more than unarmed at the Seattle medians.
- Supervisors are a separate line on the contract, billed by the hour.
Where these numbers come from
Washington's Department of Enterprise Services runs contract 00624 so state agencies and other public buyers can hire guards at set rates. The current term runs from August 1, 2025 to July 31, 2027, and can extend to 2031. 27 companies hold the contract. We took each area's standard hourly rate from every company that bids there and report the median and the range.
Private property owners get their own quotes, which depend on the site, the hours, and the term.
Common questions
How much more does an armed guard cost in Seattle?
At the state contract medians, an armed guard inside Seattle is $51.30 an hour against $38.55 unarmed, about $12.75 an hour more.
What does a security guard cost per month in Seattle?
At the median state contract rate, one unarmed guard 8 hours a night is about $9,380 a month, and around the clock about $28,140.
Do private companies pay the state contract rate?
Not necessarily. The contract sets rates for public buyers. Private owners get quotes per site, but the contract is the most complete public list of what Washington guard companies charge.
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