Executive protection cost guide
Executive protection cost in 2026
Hourly, daily and annual executive protection cost, what changes the price, and how to compare companies without paying for coverage you do not need.
Executive protection cost typically runs $75 to $175 per agent per hour, or about $450 to $900 a day for standard coverage and $1,800 to $4,000 a day for high end details, based on published rate guides. A single agent around the clock runs about $1,500 to $3,000 a day, multi agent high threat coverage can exceed $10,000 a day, and full time annual programs commonly cost $150,000 to $400,000 or more.
Executive protection cost by rate type
| Type of coverage | Typical cost | Source type |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly, per agent | $75 to $175 | Published EP rate guides |
| Armed EP, per hour | $100 to $300+ | Published EP rate guides |
| Standard day, per agent | $450 to $900 | Published EP rate guides |
| Full time detail, per day | $1,000 to $2,000 | Published EP rate guides |
| Day rate, 10 to 12 hour days | $1,000 to $3,000+ per agent | Published EP rate guides |
| High end day, per agent | $1,800 to $4,000 | Published EP rate guides |
| Single agent, 24/7 | $1,500 to $3,000 per day | Published EP rate guides |
| Multi agent, high threat | $10,000+ per day | Published EP rate guides |
What changes executive protection cost
- Threat level. A public profile, active threats or travel to higher risk regions mean more agents and more experienced ones.
- Hours of coverage. Business hours with one agent costs a fraction of round the clock protection with shift changes.
- Armed or unarmed. Armed agents with the right state licenses raise the executive protection cost.
- Advance work. Route planning, venue checks and hospital mapping before a trip add hours.
- Travel and vehicles. Flights, hotels, secure vehicles and drivers are usually billed separately from the quoted executive protection cost.
What an annual program costs
Companies that protect a CEO year round usually move from day rates to a program, which changes how executive protection cost is billed. Published guides put annual programs at about $150,000 to $400,000 or more, with monthly programs from $20,000 to $150,000. Full time programs for very high profile principals with several agents, residence coverage and travel can reach $500,000 to $5 million a year.
Start with an executive risk assessment
The best way to control executive protection cost is to buy the right amount. An executive risk assessment looks at the principal’s public exposure, online footprint, travel, home and office, then recommends a level of coverage. Many consultants in our directory do this as a fixed fee project before any agents are hired. Read when do executives need executive protection for the warning signs.
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Planning estimate, not a quote. Ranges are built from published prices listed in the sources below.
How to choose an executive protection provider
Check licensing in every state where agents will work, insurance limits, agent training and how the company handles advance work and incident reporting. Ask who will actually be on your detail and what is included in the executive protection cost. Our guide on how to choose an executive protection company includes a full vetting checklist.
Executive protection consultants
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Where these numbers come from
- Talo, executive protection hourly, daily, 24 hour and annual rates
- Fash and Cascadia Global Security, standard and high end EP day rates
- Pronto Guards, EP day rates per agent
- Security Guard Solutions, armed EP rates and program costs
- PrimeGuards, average hourly rates, 24/7 and high threat coverage
- Professional standards: ASIS International.
Prices 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.
Get the right level of protection
Tell us who needs protection, where and for how long. Vetted executive protection consultants will send proposals, free.
Frequently asked questions
How much does executive protection cost per hour?
Published rate guides put executive protection at about $75 to $175 per agent per hour. Armed agents and specialized details can cost $100 to $300 or more per hour. Minimum booking lengths are common, so short engagements may still be billed as a half or full day.
How much does a bodyguard cost per day?
A standard day of executive protection runs about $450 to $900 per agent, while full time and high end details cost $1,000 to $4,000 per agent per day. Round the clock coverage with one agent costs roughly $1,500 to $3,000 a day, and multi agent high threat coverage can pass $10,000 a day.
How much does a corporate executive protection program cost per year?
The annual executive protection cost for one executive is commonly $150,000 to $400,000 or more, according to published guides. Programs that cover several principals, residences and frequent travel with multiple agents can range from $500,000 to several million dollars a year.
Do I need executive protection or just a risk assessment?
Start with an executive risk assessment if you are not sure. It reviews threats, public exposure, travel and home security, then recommends the level of protection you actually need. Many executives need better travel planning and residential security rather than a full time detail, which keeps executive protection cost down.