Security Jobs Canada: Pay, Licensing & Top Employers (2026)

August 15, 2026 3 Min Read

Security jobs in Canada need a provincial licence before you start. Pay also varies a lot by province and employer. Below is the real pay breakdown, what licensing involves, and where the biggest employers hire.

For a closer look at a related topic, see our guide to Remote Jobs Calgary: Top Employers & Pay (2026).

Quick Answer: Security Jobs

Security jobs in Canada pay a national median of $15.96 an hour. The range runs from around $11.50 to $24.86, based on province and role. Every province needs its own security guard licence before you can start. GardaWorld, Paladin Security, and Securitas are among the largest employers. All three run their own training programs too.

1. Entry-Level Security Guard Roles

Pay: Broadly $14.00–$18.00 an hour to start, based on the province, rising with time in the field.
What they do: Patrol sites, watch access points, and handle basic reports for offices, shops, and events.
You need: A valid provincial licence first. It comes before any job offer, not after.
How to apply: Search “security guard” plus your province on Indeed, and check each major employer’s own careers page too.

2. Getting Licensed

Pay: Not role-specific, though training costs vary by province and provider.
What they do: Licensing covers a basic training course, a background check, and a provincial exam.
You need: Rules differ by province. Check your provincial regulator’s site before you sign up for any course.
How to apply: GardaWorld and other major firms run their own training programs that lead straight into a licence and a job offer.

3. Major Employers

Pay: Broadly $15.00–$26.00 an hour, based on the employer, site type, and province.
What they do: GardaWorld, Paladin Security, and Securitas run large national contracts covering offices, retail, and event security.
You need: A provincial licence is the baseline. Some site-specific roles ask for extra training on top of that.
How to apply: Check GardaWorld’s own careers page or Paladin and Securitas directly for live listings.

4. Specialised & Senior Security Roles

Pay: Broadly $20.00–$35.00+ an hour, based on the role and site.
What they do: Cover supervisor posts, loss prevention, and special sites such as airports or high-security buildings.
You need: Time as a licensed guard usually comes first. Most firms promote from within, rather than hiring these roles cold.
How to apply: Search “security supervisor” or “loss prevention” on Indeed, and ask current employers about internal routes up too.

Before You Apply for Security Jobs

Your licence has to come first. So budget time and cost for training before you start applying for roles.
Pay varies a lot by province. So check your own province’s typical range rather than relying on a single national figure.
Major firms run their own training pipelines. So applying straight to GardaWorld or Paladin can be faster than training on your own first.
Most supervisors are promoted, not hired from outside. So time on the floor is often the fastest route to higher pay.

Security Guard Jobs

FAQ: Security Jobs

What is the average pay for security jobs in Canada?
The national median is $15.96 an hour. Pay ranges from around $11.50 to $24.86, based on province and role.

Do I need a licence for security jobs in Canada?
Yes. Every province needs its own security guard licence. That usually means training, a background check, and an exam.

Which employers hire the most for security jobs?
GardaWorld, Paladin Security, and Securitas are among the largest, and all three run their own training programs for new guards.

How much do senior security roles pay?
Supervisor and loss prevention roles broadly run $20.00–$35.00+ an hour, based on the site and level of responsibility.

Can I get licensed and hired at the same time?
Often, yes. Major firms such as GardaWorld run training programs that lead directly into a licence and a job offer.