Procurement Market Intelligence Report
Security Guard Services
Sourcing Guide & Market Intelligence
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Security Guard Services Global Overview
Definition
Summary
Vendors in this market provide security guards to patrol a company’s facilities and grounds as well as control access to company property. Guards serve as a deterrent for crimes and trespassers as well as to record and report suspicious activities. Security guards are usually dedicated to a particular facility, although mobile patrol units can be used to serve multiple locations and clients.
This Report Includes:
- Personnel Screening
- Visitor Processing
- Package Screening
- Traffic Control
- Vehicle Inspections
Not in this Report:
- Investigative Services
- Detective Services
- Guard Dog Rental
Global Security Guard Services Procurement Trends
Discover the top international trends affecting procurement in the global Security Guard Services market.
Warning Trends
Public sector demand slumps as the government enters shutdown
- On October 1, the US federal government entered a shutdown after negotiations for a new appropriations bill failed.
- During a government shutdown, essential federal government operations, such as law enforcement, air-traffic control, and social security, persist, while nonessential operations are paused and workers involved in these operations are furloughed. Thus, the current shutdown is expected to result in 750,000 federal workers being furloughed, representing a $400 million reduction in daily expenditure by the federal government.
- This significant reduction in federal spending and operations will affect the entire US economy, weakening aggregate demand and slowing economic growth. For example, the 35-day government shutdown in Q1, 2019, reduced aggregate demand in both the public and private sectors, resulting in a 0.2% reduction in GDP growth that quarter.
- The effects of the shutdown are likely to be most acute in markets where the public sector is a major buyer segment, weakening demand and increasing average vendor risk by destabilizing important revenue streams.
- As negotiations for a new appropriations bill to reopen the government remain ongoing, ProcurementIQ will continue to monitor the situation and update this story with the latest information.
Global Security Guard Services Market - Suppliers by Region
| Country/Region | Number of Suppliers |
|---|---|
| #1 Europe | 10,555 |
| #2 Oceania & Southeast Asia | 7,980 |
| #3 South America | 7,965 |
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Geography Drilldown - US, Canada & Europe
Average Cost of Security Guard Services
United States
2026 Market Pricing$15.00 to $XXX.XX
per hour per guardCanada
Europe
Average Price
Prices in the Security Guard Services market range from $15.00 to $XXX.XX, depending on Degree of Guard Training, Number of Guards, Range of Services and Geographic Location. For example, lower prices are associated with Observe-and-report guards ($15.00 to $50.00 per hour per guard), whereas higher prices are associated with Armed guards ($30 to $100 per hour per guard) and Specialized guards ($40 to $100 per hour per guard).
Need the scoop on international price trends?
Between our Europe and Canada collections, we provide price data for 350 markets so you can instantly compare prices across borders. Or, use our custom research services for intel on prices in any region across the globe.
Security Guard Services Category Price Trends
Pricing trends are indicated by the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during a set period of time. For the Security Guard Services market, prices in the US have grown 6.5% from 2022 to 2025. and +1.1% in Europe.
United States (2022-2025)
Canada (2021-2024)
Compound Annual Growth Rate
Europe (2022-2025)
Compound Annual Growth Rate
Wondering where prices are heading?
Price trend forecasts are available to subscribers, along with price driver projections and forward-looking cost structure data.
Cost Analysis - Total Cost of Ownership for Security Guard Services
Total cost of ownership is Low in the Security Guard Services market. The average cost of ownership differs depending on the contract but generally includes costs negotiated before the contract begins, costs billed during the contract period and unforeseen costs. For example, unforeseen costs in the form of Cancellations may raise the total cost of ownership unexpectedly.
Negotiated Before
Pre-evaluation
Billed During
Additional Fees
Insurance
Unforeseen
Cancellations
Buyer Power in Procurement Negotiations
In 2026, buyer power amounts to -2.4 in the United States. Buyer power is most positively impacted by Recent Developments. It is most negatively impacted by Supply Chain Risk. Subscribers can access details on eight other factors that impact buyer power. Learn more
United States
Canada
Europe
Buyer power forecasts: your glimpse into the future
Develop strategies for the upcoming year and identify unforeseen opportunities for buying now
- Actionable "Buy Now" and "Buy Later" insights
- Near-real-time updates to current and forecast Buyer Power Scores
- Methodology and weightings for Buyer Power Score Components
Supply Chain Risk
The average level of supply chain risk is assessed as Low, which has a positive impact on buyer power. The level of supply chain risk is affected by industry volatility, barriers to entry, competition, import penetration, regulation and industry financial risk. Buyers in this market can mitigate procurement and supply chain management risks by monitoring risk levels for individual first and second tier suppliers:
1st
Tier Suppliers
- Uniform Wholesalers
- Weapons Retailers
- Background Check Companies
2nd
Tier Suppliers
- Textile Manufacturers
- Weapons Manufacturers
- Credit Bureaus & Ratings Agencies
Biggest Security Guard Services Suppliers in the US by Revenue
The largest Security Guard Services vendors by revenue in the US are Metropolitan Security Services Inc., Covenant Services Worldwide LLC and EPIC Systems Group LLC. Subscribers can sort and filter by market share concentration, profit level and other factors. Learn more
| Supplier | Operational Size | Headquarters | Number of Employees | Market Share (%) | Market Share Performance (3yr trend) | Total Revenue ($ million) | Profit Level (%) | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Universal Security Services LLC | Global | Conshohocken, PA | >10,000 | 15-20 | ||||
| Securitas Ab | Global | Stockholm, SE | >10,001 | 5-10 | ||||
| Garda World Security Corp | Global | Montreal, CA | >10,000 | 5-10 | ||||
| Contemporary Services Corporation | National | Northridge, CA | >10,000 | < 5 | ||||
| Inter-Con Security Systems, Inc. | Global | Pasadena, CA | >10,000 | < 5 | ||||
| Adt Inc. | National | BOCA RATON, US | >10,000 | < 5 | ||||
| Prosegur Compania de Seguridad, S.A. | Global | Madrid, ES | >10,001 | < 5 | ||||
| Metropolitan Security Services Inc. | National | Chattanooga , TN | 1,001-10,000 | < 5 | ||||
| Covenant Services Worldwide LLC | International | Bolingbrook, IL | 1,001-10,000 | < 5 | ||||
Looking for a list of suppliers by country?
Subscribers can access vendor information on Canadian and European suppliers, too. We also offer custom research services to help with vendor sourcing anywhere in the world.
Profit Analysis
The average profit margin across vendors in the Security Guard Services market is 5.5% and steady. Profit levels shift depending on suppliers' spend on wages, purchases and overhead. The highest cost component for vendors is Wages. The cost trend for this component is rising, when considering movement between 2025 and 2026. To understand cost forecasts for 2027 and uncover the implications on profit, start your subscription. Learn more
Vendor & Supply Chain Analysis
Labor comprises the bulk of input costs for security guard companies, so vendors are resistant to product supply chain fluctuations, such as the price of pistols and revolvers. Securing well-trained and highly qualified staff is vital for market providers, though labor risks are generally low and wage shocks that could impact prices are unlikely because unionization is not common.
Security guard service suppliers have low financial risk and can typically honor long-term contracts, which ensure continuous service availability for buyers.
Although competition is robust, market share concentration has been increasing during the last three years. As market share concentration grows, buyers will have fewer providers from which to choose; large suppliers will also have more leverage to charge buyers higher rates for services due to decreased competition.
The United States is a net importer of revolvers and pistols, meaning it imports more than it exports, presenting buyers with a wide range of domestic and foreign suppliers to choose from. However, tariffs on handguns and revolvers from most countries, as well as tariffs on metals such as aluminum and steel, have led to steeper costs of imported firearms or the cost of manufacturing domestically with foreign inputs.
Supplier Information
Allied Universal Security Services LLC
Allied Universal Security Services LLC is a private company operating globally in the administration, business support and waste management services sector. The company's offerings include security system installation, temporary security staffing and security guard services. Founded in 1957, the company is... Subscribe to learn more
Garda World Security Corp
Garda World Security Corp is a private company operating globally in the finance & insurance and administration, business support and waste management services sectors. The company's offerings include cash vault services, temporary security staffing, security guard services and armored transport services.... Subscribe to learn more
Securitas Ab
Securitas Ab is a public company operating globally in the finance & insurance and administration, business support and waste management services sectors. The company's offerings include security system installation, cash vault services, temporary security staffing, security guard services, investigative Subscribe to learn more
Adt Inc.
Adt Inc. is a public company operating nationally in the manufacturing and administration, business support and waste management services sectors. The company's offerings include card key lock systems, security guard services, security monitoring services and fire alarm monitoring services. Founded in 1874,... Subscribe to learn more
Contemporary Services Corporation
Contemporary Services Corporation is a private company operating nationally in the administration, business support and waste management services sector. The company's offerings include temporary security staffing and security guard services. Founded in 1967, the company is currently headquartered in Northridge,... Subscribe to learn more
Covenant Services Worldwide LLC
Covenant Services Worldwide LLC is a private company operating internationally in the administration, business support and waste management services sector. The company's offerings include security guard services. Founded in 1992, the company is currently headquartered in Bolingbrook, Illinois, United States... Subscribe to learn more
EPIC Systems Group LLC
EPIC Systems Group LLC is a private company operating internationally in the manufacturing and administration, business support and waste management services sectors. The company's offerings include industrial clothes dryers and security guard services. Founded in 1995, the company is currently headquartered... Subscribe to learn more
Inter-Con Security Systems, Inc.
Inter-Con Security Systems, Inc. is a private company operating globally in the administration, business support and waste management services sector. The company's offerings include temporary security staffing and security guard services. Founded in 1973, the company is currently headquartered in Pasadena,... Subscribe to learn more
Metropolitan Security Services Inc.
Metropolitan Security Services Inc. is a private company operating nationally in the administration, business support and waste management services sector. The company's offerings include security guard services. Founded in 1990, the company is currently headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States... Subscribe to learn more
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Procurement Management KPIs for the Security Guard Services Market
Managing vendor performance throughout the contract period is easier when tracking specific key performance indicators (KPIs). For example, buyers should monitor Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) and Employee Training Rate. Buyers may experience better performance throughout their contracts if they establish service level agreements (SLAs) based on Qualifications and other factors.
| KPI | Level of Importance (1-5) | Measurements | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) |
|
Number of positive customer responses Number of customer responses |
Customer satisfaction can be used to evaluate a company’s reputation. Buyers should ask potential vendors whether they have any customer testimonials or references available before signing service contracts. |
| Employee Training Rate |
|
Number of employees that undergo evaluation Total number of employees |
The employee training rate can be used to determine a company’s ability to familiarize and adapt its employee base to shifting market conditions. Security guards have varying levels of experience and frequently have previous military or policing experience. Buyers should inquire about credentials or related work experience for potential security guards. |
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Questions to Ask During Procurement Negotiations
How can I gain leverage during negotiations?
Customer Support
How many accounts does each manager serve?
Is my account manager able to make significant changes to my service if I am unsatisfied?
Experience and Expertise
How well do you know my company's industry and the types of facilities I need to have guarded?
What other clients have you served in my industry? Were you able to retain them over multiple contracts?
Workforce
What methods are used for applicant background screening?
What qualifications must security personnel have before being hired?
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Security Guard Services RFP Guidelines
What should my RFP include?
Organizational Overview
Buyers should provide a summary of their operations.
Buyers should include all relevant contact information and a person of contact for inquiries regarding this RFP.
Statement Of Need
Buyers should specify if they require armed or unarmed guards.
Buyers should specify the length of time they need security guard services.
Project Budget
Buyers should provide a total budget for security guard services and a budget per guard.
If buyers are flexible in their needs, then they should propose budgets for both armed and unarmed guards and the level of weapons they are equipped with.
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We display average pricing information, trends and market data.
Our Reports include:
- Opportunity assessment
- Market dynamics
- Recent developments
- Positive and warning trends
- Buyer power levers
- Price environment and market pricing
- Geographic wage rates
- Global market updates
- Total cost of ownership
- Cost structure benchmarks and analysis
- Supply chain and vendors
- Global supplier breakdown
- Market share concentration
- Regulation and business requirements
- Vendor management and KPIs
- Sourcing strategy guidance
