Industry GuideMay 2026·5 min read
Security Guard Pay in Florida: What to Expect in 2026
A realistic breakdown of security guard hourly rates across Florida cities and how working without an agency affects your take-home pay.
What Do Security Guards Earn in Florida?
Security guard pay in Florida varies by city, gig type, and whether you work through an agency or independently.
Pay by City
Miami
- Unarmed (standard): $16-20/hr
- Unarmed (hospitality): $19-24/hr
- Armed: $24-32/hr
Orlando
- Unarmed (standard): $15-19/hr
- Unarmed (convention/event): $18-23/hr
- Armed: $22-28/hr
Tampa
- Unarmed (standard): $15-18/hr
- Unarmed (port/healthcare): $18-22/hr
- Armed: $21-27/hr
Fort Lauderdale / St. Petersburg / Jacksonville
- Unarmed: $15-19/hr
- Armed: $20-26/hr
The Agency vs Marketplace Difference
Security agencies typically keep 30-40% of what a client pays for your shift. On ShieldUp, businesses post the rate directly — what they post is what you receive. No agency taking a cut.
How to Maximize Your Earnings on ShieldUp
Get your Class G license. Armed roles consistently pay 25-40% more.
Build your rating. Guards with higher ratings attract better clients and repeat bookings.
Target premium gig types. Convention, VIP event, and maritime security gigs pay above market average.
Ready to hire in Florida?
Post a gig on ShieldUp
Verified guards across Florida apply within hours. No agency, no markup, no contract.
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