Cost guides 2026
What does a security consultant cost?
Most buyers have no idea what a fair price looks like until the first proposal lands. These cost guides fix that. Every range in our cost guides comes from published prices, public school board records and real course listings, so you can budget with confidence before you talk to anyone.
Our cost guides show that security consultants in the US usually charge $150 to $350 an hour, or $650 to $2,400 a day. A single site physical security assessment typically costs $3,500 to $8,500, a school assessment runs from about $500 per building for a basic walkthrough to $7,500 or more for a full review, executive protection costs $450 to $4,000 per agent per day, and workplace violence training starts under $10 per employee online.
Pick from our cost guides
Each of our cost guides explains what drives the price, shows real examples, gives you a quick estimator and lists consultants in our directory who do that work.
School security assessment cost
From $500 per building for a basic walkthrough to $19,000 for a districtwide review. Real district prices, free tools and an estimator.
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Physical security assessment cost
Single site assessments run $3,500 to $8,500 and multi site programs $15,000 to $75,000 or more. See what drives the price.
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Executive protection cost
Executive protection runs $75 to $175 an hour or $450 to $4,000 per agent per day. Annual programs start around $150,000.
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Workplace violence prevention cost
Online courses cost $8.95 to $39.99 per employee, classroom sessions about $475 per class and train the trainer $497 to $1,897 per person.
Read the guide →How security consultants price their work
Almost every proposal you receive will use one of four pricing models. Knowing which one you are looking at makes proposals much easier to compare, and our cost guides use the same four models.
| Pricing model | Typical range | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $80 to $350 per hour | Short advisory work, plan reviews, expert witness time |
| Daily | $650 to $2,400 per day | On site assessments and training days |
| Fixed project fee | $1,500 to $75,000+ | Assessments with a defined scope and written report |
| Monthly retainer | $1,500 to $8,000 per month | Ongoing advisory support for a security program |
What makes one quote higher than another
- Number of sites and their size. A single office is a very different job from a campus or a portfolio of buildings.
- Depth of the work. A walkthrough and checklist costs a fraction of a full risk, threat and vulnerability assessment with interviews and policy review.
- The deliverable. A prioritized written report with cost estimates takes far more time than a verbal debrief.
- Travel. Flights and hotel nights for an out of state expert are usually billed on top.
- Independence. A suspiciously cheap assessment is often a camera count or a sales call from a company that wants to sell you equipment.
How to get accurate quotes fast
- Describe the job onceTell us your sites, your concerns and your timeline in our short form.
- Get matchedWe share your request with vetted consultants who do that type of work.
- Compare proposalsReview scope, deliverables and price side by side, then choose. It is free for buyers.
Where the numbers in our cost guides come from
- Encyphir, published commercial security assessment and consultant rate guide
- Kirsch Group, security consultant hourly and day rates
- HUB Security, assessment and RTVA pricing
- Talo, Cascadia Global Security, Pronto Guards and PrimeGuards executive protection rate guides
- TrainingNow, ClickSafety, CalChamber and OSHA Outreach course listings
- Post-Journal (Jamestown, NY) and Homewood-Flossmoor CHSD 233 public meeting records
- Further reading: CISA and ASIS International publish free guidance on security planning.
Prices in these cost guides were collected in November 2026 from published price guides, public school board records and course listings. They are planning ranges, not quotes. Your consultant will price your exact scope.
Skip the guesswork and get real numbers
Tell us what you need once and receive proposals from vetted security consultants. Free for buyers, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security consultant charge per hour?
Most independent security consultants in the US charge between $150 and $350 an hour, according to published rate guides. Some list day rates instead, commonly $650 to $2,400 a day. Expert witness work and highly specialized fields such as executive risk can sit at the top of that range or above it.
What does a security assessment cost?
A single site commercial physical security assessment typically costs $3,500 to $8,500, while multi site programs run $15,000 to $75,000 or more. Basic surveys can start around $1,500. School assessments range from about $500 per building for a basic walkthrough to $7,500 or more for a full threat and vulnerability review. Our cost guides break down each of these ranges in detail.
Is it worth paying for a security consultant instead of using free tools?
Free tools such as CISA self assessments are a good starting point and help you find obvious gaps. A paid consultant adds independent judgment, experience with incidents and liability, and a prioritized plan you can defend to a board, insurer or court. Many organizations use both: free tools first, then a focused paid review.
How can I get quotes from several security consultants?
Use the free Request Proposals form on Find a Security Consultant. Describe your sites, concerns and timeline once, and vetted consultants who do that kind of work will contact you with proposals. Comparing at least three proposals against our cost guides makes it much easier to judge scope and price fairly.