A straightforward breakdown of what security services actually cost in Washington State — unarmed guards, armed officers, mobile patrol, and fire watch — and what drives the price up or down.
If you've searched for security guard pricing in Seattle, you've probably found a lot of vague answers. "It depends" is technically accurate — but it's not helpful when you're trying to budget for a contract or compare proposals.
This guide gives you real numbers based on current Washington State market rates, the factors that legitimately move price, and the questions you should be asking before you sign with any security company.
Surety Security serves clients across Washington State. Rates in this guide reflect the Seattle and greater Puget Sound market as of early 2025. For a custom quote on your specific property, request a free quote.
Before getting into numbers, it helps to understand the variables. Security pricing isn't arbitrary — every cost driver has a reason behind it.
This is the single largest cost variable. Armed officers require additional state licensing, more extensive background screening, weapons training and qualification, and higher liability insurance. Expect armed rates to run 20–40% higher than unarmed for equivalent post hours.
Standard daytime hours cost less than overnight, weekend, or holiday coverage. Overnight shifts typically carry a 10–15% premium. Holidays — particularly in retail and hospitality — often carry an additional 25–50% premium depending on contract terms.
A stationary lobby guard with basic access control responsibilities costs less to staff than an officer managing a high-conflict retail environment, a behavioral health facility, or a complex multi-entry post requiring advanced incident management skills.
Seattle and Eastside rates (Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond) are typically 5–10% higher than South King County, Pierce County, or Central Washington markets — reflecting higher labor costs and operating overhead in urban cores.
Longer-term agreements typically produce better per-hour pricing. A 30-day emergency deployment costs more per hour than a 12-month recurring contract. Multi-site programs covering several locations often carry volume pricing benefits.
Clients requiring real-time GPS tracking, digital incident reports, and automated shift documentation — like the Belfry Security platform we use — should expect this to be built into quality contracts. Budget providers often skip this, which saves cost upfront but creates accountability gaps later.
Unarmed security guards in the Seattle market currently run between $22–$38 per hour depending on the variables above. Here's a more detailed breakdown by tier:
| Service Type | Typical Rate Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Standard daytime post (M–F) | $22–$28/hr | Office lobbies, basic access control, low-risk retail |
| Retail loss prevention | $25–$32/hr | Grocery, big-box, pharmacy, high-shrink environments |
| Overnight stationary post | $26–$34/hr | Construction sites, warehouses, commercial property |
| Behavioral health / high-complexity | $30–$38/hr | Clinics, government offices, crisis environments |
| Event security (one-time) | $28–$40/hr | Corporate events, conferences, venue security |
Washington State's minimum wage is among the highest in the country. Any unarmed security quote below $20/hr should raise questions about licensing compliance, insurance coverage, and officer quality.
Armed security through a licensed Washington State company runs $32–$55+ per hour depending on deployment type, required certifications, and contract structure.
| Deployment Type | Typical Rate Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard armed post | $32–$42/hr | Retail, commercial, HOA patrol |
| Government / agency armed post | $36–$48/hr | State agency offices, behavioral health, public-facing |
| High-risk armed deployment | $42–$55/hr | Active threat environments, VIP protection adjacent |
| Armed mobile patrol | $38–$50/hr | Multi-property armed vehicle patrol programs |
Armed officers in Washington must hold a valid armed security guard license issued by the Washington State Department of Licensing. Always verify licensing before signing with an armed security provider — ask for the license number and confirm it with the DOL.
Mobile patrol is often the most cost-effective option for properties that need visible security coverage but don't require a full-time stationary officer. A patrol officer covers multiple sites or conducts multiple check rounds per shift rather than remaining at one post.
Mobile patrol in the Seattle market typically runs $18–$30 per patrol visit or $20–$32 per hour for dedicated patrol time. Multi-site programs and HOA patrol contracts often carry monthly flat-rate structures in the $1,200–$4,500/month range depending on coverage area, number of sites, and patrol frequency.
GPS-tracked patrol with digital checkpoint reporting — which Surety Security provides via Belfry — is standard for accountable mobile patrol programs. If a vendor can't show you patrol logs, that's a problem.
Fire watch is a specialized, time-sensitive service typically required when a building's fire suppression system is impaired or during and after hot work on construction sites. Because of the urgent nature of most fire watch deployments, rates are typically higher than standard security guard rates.
Fire watch in Washington State runs $30–$50 per hour for a single officer. Many fire watch deployments require 24/7 continuous coverage — often multiple officers in rotation — which can run $2,500–$6,000+ for a multi-day impairment event. Most reputable companies can mobilize a fire watch officer same-day or within hours of a system impairment notification.
The hourly rate is only one part of the picture. These questions will help you evaluate whether a security company can actually deliver what they're quoting:
Surety Security answers all of these with specifics: 12-hour staffing, 30–45 minute supervisor response SLA, instant incident reports via Belfry, 85% officer retention, 18-month average tenure, and active contracts in retail, government, construction, healthcare, hospitality, and HOA sectors across Washington State.
Unarmed security in Seattle runs $22–$38/hr. Armed runs $32–$55+/hr. Mobile patrol varies by program structure. Fire watch runs $30–$50/hr with rapid mobilization expectations.
The lowest quote rarely reflects the best value. Licensing gaps, uninsured officers, high turnover, and absent management oversight create risks that far exceed any hourly rate savings. The security companies worth hiring are the ones who can back every claim with specifics — license numbers, retention rates, response SLAs, and client references.
If you're evaluating security options for a Seattle-area property, we're happy to do a free site walk and deliver a written proposal within 24 hours — no obligation.
We visit your property, assess your needs, and deliver a written security plan and pricing within 24 hours.
