Security Guard Services by Location
State rules, officer wages, and local guides for California, Texas, Florida, and ten major cities, plus how to find good local help anywhere.
Why location matters
Security rules and costs change from state to state. Each state decides who must be licensed, how much training officers need, and what armed officers must complete, and officer wages differ widely. Our state guides explain the rules, costs, and key industries for California, Texas, and Florida, and our city guides cover the local risks in ten major cities. If your site is somewhere else, our near-me guide shows how to find and check a local provider.
California, Texas, and Florida at a glance
| State | Licensing agency | Unarmed officers | Armed officers | Median officer wage (May 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | Bureau of Security and Investigative Services | Guard Card | Firearms Permit | $20.79 an hour |
| Texas | Department of Public Safety | Level II registration | Level III commission | $17.30 an hour |
| Florida | Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services | Class D license | Class G license | $17.26 an hour |
The national median wage for security guards was $18.28 an hour in May 2025. The bill rate you pay is higher than the wage, because it also covers payroll taxes, insurance, supervision, and the provider's margin.
State guides
City guides
CaliforniaTexasFloridaSomewhere else?
If your site is not in one of these areas, you can still request a quote. Our near-me guide explains how to find a local provider, check a license in your state, and compare quotes, and the cost calculator gives an estimate by state.
Proof of service in every location
Wherever your site is, you should be able to see what the officers did on every shift. The security companies we recommend use Digital Guard Tour, patrol-verification software published by Trinity Guard LLC. Officers scan QR checkpoints on a smartphone and record incidents as they happen, so every round and every report has a time stamp, and every shift ends with a percentage score in the admin dashboard and in the emailed shift report.
Confirm the provider and the terms
This website does not employ guards and does not run local offices. Any agreement is between you and the company you select. Confirm qualifications, staffing, insurance, and terms directly; see our referral disclosure.
Location questions
Why do security guard rules differ by state?
Each state sets its own licensing rules: who must be licensed, how much training officers need, and what armed officers must complete. Some states license only armed officers, and some cities and counties add their own rules.
Which states do your local guides cover?
California, Texas, and Florida, with city guides for Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, San Francisco, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, Miami, and Orlando.
Can I request a quote if my site is in another state?
Yes. Tell us where your site is and what you need, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
Why do security costs differ by location?
Officer wages, state training requirements, insurance costs, and local demand all differ. In May 2025, the median officer wage was $20.79 an hour in California, $17.30 in Texas, and $17.26 in Florida.
Is a security license from one state valid in another?
Usually not. Officers generally need a license from the state where they work; California, for example, does not accept licenses from other states.
Related pages
Ready for the next decision?
Tell us where your site is and what you need, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.