Every hourly licensed security guard will range between 28 and 55 dollars in Edmonton, depending on the kind of services provided, the duration of the shift, the riskiness of the location and the term of the contract. The average security guard cost of a typical 12-hour shift of small business includes between 32 and 42 dollars per hour on a regular static guard service. The breakdown is presented as follows.

2026 Security Guard Cost in Edmonton — At a Glance

The security guard cost is one of the commonly posed questions at Alpine Protection Services. Openness cannot be overestimated. The following table presents a list of the average market prices of licensed security guard services in Edmonton and Calgary as of 2026.

Service Type	Security Guard Cost (per hour)	Minimum Shift	Best For
Static / On-Site Guard	$32 – $48/hr	8–12 hours	Banks, retail, access control, high-risk sites
Mobile Patrol (shared route)	$28 – $38/hr	4 hours	Parking lots, strata, multi-site commercial
Dedicated Mobile Patrol	$34 – $44/hr	6 hours	Single property requiring drive-by coverage
Fire Watch Security	$30 – $42/hr	4 hours	System outages, hot work, renovations
Event Security Guard	$35 – $55/hr	4 hours	Concerts, festivals, corporate events
Loss Prevention (retail)	$30 – $45/hr	6–8 hours	Retail stores, shopping centres
CCTV Remote Monitoring	$99 – $299/month	1 month contract	Businesses wanting 24/7 camera coverage
Overnight Static Guard (12hr)	$380 – $580/shift	12-hour minimum	Construction sites, warehouses

NOTE: All security guard costs above are approx. Final charges depend on your situation.

What Factors Affect Security Guard Cost in Edmonton?

There are also several variables that affect the end price. When these factors are understood, it would be easier to prepare the budget correctly and minimize the chances of unplanned costs.

1. Licensing and Certification Level

All of the legitimate security guards in Alberta must possess a valid licence and this is according to the Security Services and Investigators Act (SSIA). Such a licence enables guards to earn better pay as compared to their unlicensed colleagues, and this is understandable. The guard is a licensed guard who has undergone background checks, undergone mandatory training and is legally qualified to work in security. In this regard, it can be expected that a fully licensed and insured guard will cost more by 4-8 per hour than an unverified contractor.

For example, construction site security services in Edmonton typically require guards trained in equipment zone monitoring and ABSA compliance, which places them at the higher end of the licensed rate spectrum.

2. Shift Length and Time of Day

At an average of 3-6 hour shifts, night shifts, arranged between 10 pm and 6 am, charge a premium of between 3 to 6 per hour above a normal day shift charge in virtually all Alberta security contracts. Weekend and statutory holiday rates are normally 1.25 to 1.5 times the base rate. The minimum shift specifications are also the determinant of the overall price; the majority of companies require a minimum four hours shift with a twelve-hour shift payed a constant rate.

3. Site Risk Level

A guard that is on duty in a quiet office building will have a smaller cost compared to being in a construction site where there is a lot of heavy machinery or a nightclub with large crowds. The risk level of the site determines the requirements of the guard training, equipment (radios, body cameras, personal protective equipment, etc.), and insurance, which are also reflected in the quoted rate.

4. Contract Duration

Long-term contracts (3 months or more) typically unlock discounted rates of 10–20% compared to one-off or short-term deployments. If you need security for an ongoing operation, a construction project, a retail store, or a residential complex, negotiating a contract term will reduce your per-hour cost significantly.

What Does a Security Guard Shift Actually Include?

When you contract a licensed guard of Alpine Protection Services within Edmonton, it is not just a man standing at your door, and this is the rate. Every shift includes:

• Pre-shift hand-over and site briefing.
• Incident reporting: any occurrence results in a written report made within a period of two hours.
• Patrol records (in the case of mobile or roving guards): GPS-confirmed timings of every checkpoint.
• Radio dispatch and on-call supervisor.
• First aid response capability (all Alpine Protection Services guards hold valid first aid certification)
• Liability covered under Alpine Protection Services’s $5M commercial general liability insurance policy

Is Hiring a Security Guard Worth the Cost?

The more useful question is: what does NOT having a security guard cost you? Consider the math for a typical Edmonton construction site:

Scenario	Average Cost
Single equipment theft incident on an unguarded site	$15,000 – $80,000
Insurance deductible after a vandalism claim	$5,000 – $25,000
Project delay caused by theft of materials	$20,000 – $100,000+
Alpine Protection Services overnight mobile patrol for 30 nights	$840 – $1,140 (at $28–$38/hr, 1hr/night)
Alpine Protection Services dedicated overnight guard for 30 nights	$11,400 – $17,400 (12hr shifts)

For businesses that require fire watch security guards in Edmonton, typically triggered by Alberta Fire Code Section 2.8.3.1 when alarm systems go offline, the 4-hour minimum shift at $30–$42/hr is almost always cheaper than the fines and insurance consequences of non-compliance.

How Does Alpine Protection Services Quote Security Services?

Step 1: Contact us by phone or online form

Get in touch with us either via telephone or online form. Call +1 -780 800 9903 or ask to receive a quote at alpineprotection.ca. One of the team members will always reply within two hours at working hours.

Step 2: Free site assessment

For sites in Edmonton or Calgary, we offer a no-cost, no-obligation site visit. We walk the property, identify risk points, and recommend the right service type and coverage schedule.

Step 3: Receive a written quote

You will be given a comprehensive written offer consisting of hourly rates, shift arrangements, overall monthly estimates and contract options, no hidden charges.

Step 4: Confirm and deploy

Once you approve, Alpine Protection Services can deploy licensed guards to most Edmonton sites within 24–48 hours. For mobile patrol security in Edmonton, shared route contracts can begin within 48 hours, making them the fastest and most affordable entry point for new clients.

Frequently Asked Questions — Security Guard Cost in Edmonton

Q: How much does a 24-hour security guard cost in Edmonton?

A: A 24-hour static guard deployment (two 12-hour shifts) in Edmonton typically costs $760–$1,160 per day, depending on site risk and guard experience level. Alpine Protection Services provides overnight-only options if full 24-hour coverage exceeds your budget.

Q: Is there a minimum number of hours I need to book?

A: Most security companies, including Alpine Protection Services, require a 4-hour minimum per deployment. For overnight static guard shifts, the industry standard is 12 hours.

Q: Do you charge more on weekends or holidays?

A: Yes. Weekend and statutory holiday rates in Alberta are typically 1.25x the weekday base rate. Alpine Protection Services’s quotes always include weekend rates so there are no billing surprises.

Q: Does Alberta licensing affect how much I pay?

A: Yes, and it should. Licensed guards under Alberta’s SSIA command higher rates than unlicensed labour. If you receive a quote significantly below $28/hr for a ‘security guard’ in Edmonton, ask for their licence number. Unlicensed security is illegal in Alberta.

Q: Is there a setup or mobilization fee?

A: Alpine Protection Services does not charge a mobilization fee for standard Edmonton or Calgary deployments. For remote sites (Fort McMurray, northern Alberta), a travel or mobilization allowance may apply, always disclosed in the written quote.

Q: Can I get a month-to-month contract rather than long-term?

A: Yes. Alpine Protection Services offers both month-to-month and multi-month contract options. Long-term contracts (3+ months) qualify for discounted rates.

According to Statistics Canada crime data, property crime in Alberta has remained among the highest rates in Canada, reinforcing the return on investment that professional security guard services deliver for Edmonton businesses.