Commercial Security Pricing Guide 2026: System and Monitoring Rates
How much to charge for commercial security systems in 2026. Installation costs, monitoring rates, and contract benchmarks for security business owners.
What to charge
Commercial Security pricing varies by service type, facility size, frequency, and region. The table below covers 10 common service categories with low-to-high ranges for mid-tier U.S. markets in 2026.
Pricing by service type
| Service | Low | High | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alarm monitoring (basic) | $30 | $75 | /month | Central station monitoring, no cameras |
| Alarm + CCTV monitoring | $150 | $500 | /month | 8-16 cameras, 24/7 monitoring |
| Access control (per door) | $1,500 | $3,500 | /door install | Card reader, controller, wiring, software |
| Access control monitoring | $50 | $150 | /door/month | Cloud-hosted, managed credentials |
| IP camera installation | $500 | $1,500 | /camera | Camera + mount + cabling + NVR allocation |
| Video analytics add-on | $25 | $75 | /camera/month | AI detection, alerts, search |
| Guard service (unarmed) | $18 | $30 | /hour | Standing post or patrol |
| Guard service (armed) | $25 | $45 | /hour | Licensed armed guard, higher insurance |
| Security system design/consultation | $500 | $2,500 | /project | Site survey, threat assessment, system spec |
| Integrated system (turnkey, small commercial) | $5,000 | $25,000 | /project | Alarm + 8-16 cameras + 2-4 access doors |
Regional pricing adjustments
| Region | Adjustment | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Major metro (NYC, LA, Chicago) | +20-30% | Higher labor, licensing, and permitting costs |
| Mid-tier U.S. markets | Baseline | Published rates reflect this tier |
| Rural/regional | -10-20% | Lower labor costs but longer travel; fewer competitors |
| Australia | AUD $200-650/mo | Monitoring contracts; installation priced separately |
| New Zealand | NZD $180-550/mo | Smaller market with fewer national providers |
Factors that affect pricing
Per-unit pricing decreases with volume. A 32-camera system prices 15-25% less per camera than an 8-camera system due to shared infrastructure (NVR, switches, cabling runs).
Basic alarm monitoring ($30-75/mo) vs video verification ($150-300/mo) vs live video monitoring ($300-500/mo). Each tier adds response capability and value.
3-year monitoring contracts typically price 15-20% below month-to-month. Equipment may be subsidized on longer terms. Industry standard is 3-5 year terms.
Integrating access control, video, alarm, and building management systems adds 20-40% to project costs. Proprietary systems cost more to integrate than open-platform alternatives.
Financial institutions, cannabis facilities, and government buildings have specific security standards (UL 2050, ASIS) adding 15-30% to system costs.
The industry is shifting toward RMR (recurring monthly revenue) models. Higher monitoring fees offset lower installation charges, improving lifetime customer value.
Methodology
Pricing ranges are compiled from SIA market data, SDM Magazine surveys, and IBISWorld revenue analysis. Ranges represent mid-tier U.S. markets; major metros and compliance-heavy verticals exceed the upper range.
Installation costs reflect 2026 equipment list prices from major manufacturers (Axis, Hanwha, HID, DMP) with standard integrator margins of 25-40% on equipment and 35-50% on labor.
Monitoring rates reflect central station costs (wholesale $8-15/account/month) plus integrator margin, platform fees, and customer support overhead.
Sources
- Security Industry Association (SIA), Pricing & Market Data Report 2025 Accessed 2026-05-20.
- SDM Magazine, Industry Forecast & Pricing Survey 2025 Accessed 2026-05-20.
- IBISWorld, Security Services in the US, Revenue & Pricing 2025 Accessed 2026-05-20.
- Scayled aggregate contract-value data, Jan-Apr 2026 Accessed 2026-05-20.
Cite this report
SCAYLED (2026). Commercial Security Pricing Guide 2026: System and Monitoring Rates. Retrieved from https://scayled.com/data/commercial-security-pricing-guide-2026
Free to quote with attribution. Creative Commons CC BY 4.0.
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