Security Guard Cost in Malaysia | What Sets the Monthly Rate

Short answer: There is no single monthly rate for a security guard in Malaysia. Price is set by roster size, shift pattern, guard type, duties and contract terms, plus statutory costs (EPF, SOCSO, EIS), overtime and relief cover. Compare quotes on the roster and what is included, not on the headline figure.

Last updated 24 October 2026 by Optimal Security Services Sdn Bhd (KDN Licence No. 02260234).

Last updated: 24 October 2026. Employment-law figures reflect the Employment Act 1955 as amended in 2022.

Cost drivers

Six things that set the price

Two quotes for the “same” guard can differ widely because they are usually not pricing the same thing.

Number of guards on the roster

One post open 24/7 is not one guard. It takes several people to cover every shift, rest day and public holiday.

Shift pattern

12-hour and 8-hour rosters need different headcounts and carry different overtime exposure.

Local or Nepalese guards

Both are KDN-compliant. Nepalese guards are often more cost-effective on long 24/7 contracts; local guards suit client-facing posts.

Duties and site risk

Access control only is cheaper than access control plus patrol clocking, CCTV coordination and incident reporting.

Contract length and terms

Long-term posts (typically 12 months or more) are priced differently from event or ad-hoc shifts quoted per shift.

Statutory costs

EPF, SOCSO, EIS, overtime and public holiday pay are legal obligations. A quote that ignores them is not a like-for-like price.

Headcount estimator

How many guards does one post really need?

This is arithmetic, not a price. Enter your coverage and see the minimum roster before leave and relief cover. Your quote adds those.

Number of posts

Coverage hours per day

Coverage days per week

Shift length

Days each guard works per week (one rest day required)

Send this to us for a quote

Indicative only. Based on Employment Act limits (45 normal hours a week, 104 overtime hours a month, one rest day a week). Leave, public holidays and relief cover add to the real roster, so treat this as the floor. Your final plan comes after a site assessment.

Worked example

One 24/7 post, two ways

Same coverage, different rosters. Both figures are pure arithmetic.

12-hour shifts, 5 days a week

168 post-hours a week ÷ 60 hours per guard = 2.8, so at least 3 guards. Each guard works about 15 hours of overtime a week (within the legal monthly cap). Without overtime you would need 4 guards.

8-hour shifts, 5 days a week

168 post-hours a week ÷ 40 hours per guard = 4.2, so at least 5 guards. More people and shorter shifts, with more roster management.

Comparing quotes

Ask every supplier these questions

If a quote cannot answer them, it is not comparable.

Are EPF, SOCSO, EIS, overtime and public holiday pay included?
Is relief cover for leave, sick days and public holidays part of the price?
How many guards are on the roster, and on what shift pattern?
How fast is an absent guard replaced, and what happens if they are not?
Are uniforms, equipment, supervisor visits and reporting included?
Can you see the KDN licence, PIKM membership and insurance schedule? See our verification checklist.

Red flags

When a low price is a warning sign

A rate far below the rest of the market has to come from somewhere.

Rate that ignores statutory costs

If contributions and overtime are excluded, you may inherit the liability or the shortfall in service.

Guards without valid credentials

Every guard should carry a KDN ID card and hold current CSG certification.

No licence or insurance proof

Operating without a KDN licence is an offence under Akta 27. Ask for the documents before you sign.

FAQ

Security guard pricing, answered

How much does a security guard cost per month in Malaysia?

It depends on your roster, shift pattern, guard type and contract terms, so there is no honest single figure. Tell us your site type, number of posts and coverage hours and we will send an itemised quotation, typically within 24 hours.

How many guards do I need for one 24-hour post?

At least three on 12-hour shifts working five days a week (this includes overtime; four if you avoid overtime), or five on 8-hour shifts working five days a week, before relief cover for leave and public holidays. Use the headcount estimator above.

Are Nepalese guards cheaper than local guards?

Nepalese guards are often more cost-effective on long-term 24/7 posts, while local guards are better suited to client-facing roles. Both carry the same statutory obligations and KDN compliance. See types of security guards.

Does the quote include relief guards?

Relief cover for leave and public holidays should always be part of a 24/7 quotation. Ask every supplier to state it explicitly so you can compare like with like.

Why do quotes from different companies vary so much?

Usually because they price different rosters or leave out statutory costs, supervision or relief cover. Compare headcount, shift pattern and inclusions before comparing totals.

Is there a minimum contract length?

Long-term posts typically run 12 months or more. Events and short-term deployments are quoted per shift. See event security.

How do I get an accurate quote?

Share your location, site type, number of posts, coverage hours and whether you prefer local or Nepalese guards. A short site assessment refines it further.

Sources and legal basis. Working-hour and overtime figures come from the Employment Act 1955 as amended by the Employment (Amendment) Act 2022 (Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan; Sabah and Sarawak have their own Labour Ordinances). Check current rules with the Labour Department (JTKSM). Contribution rates: EPF (KWSP) and SOCSO and EIS (PERKESO). This page is general information, not legal advice.

Optimal Security Services Sdn Bhd holds KDN Licence No. 02260234 (SSM 969825-V). Verify any security company before you sign.

What a security guard costs in Malaysia, and why quotes differ so much