What is the salary of a security guard in Quebec in 2026?
If you work as a security guard in Quebec, it is normal to want to know how much you must legally earn in 2026 and whether your compensation truly complies with the rules in force.
Many guards know their hourly rate, but few know exactly what the decree requires, which premiums must be paid, and what recourse exists when wages are not compliant.
In 2026, the salary of security guards is not left to the interpretation of employers. It is governed by a specific law: the Decree respecting private security guards. This official text establishes minimum rates, defines job classes, and imposes clear obligations on agencies.
Here is what you need to understand to know your rights and your actual compensation.
How much does a security guard really earn in Quebec in 2026?
The minimum wage for private security guards in Quebec is established by the Decree respecting private security guards, available here: Official decree text. This decree applies to all agencies holding a valid permit and to all salaried guards covered by it.
The minimum hourly wage is as follows.
A Class A employee, meaning a guard who performs surveillance duties without management responsibilities, must receive at least $20.09 per hour starting June 29, 2025.
As of June 28, 2026, this minimum rate increases to $20.60 per hour.
A Class B employee, meaning a guard responsible for supervising or managing one or more security guards, must receive at least $20.34 per hour starting June 29, 2025.
As of June 28, 2026, this minimum rate will increase to $20.85 per hour.
These amounts represent the legal minimum salary. An agency is not allowed to pay less, even if the guard agrees to it. The law takes precedence over any agreement.
Who can be paid as a security guard?
To be recognized as a security guard and be paid according to the decree, it is not enough to simply be assigned to a surveillance position. The person must hold a valid permit issued by the Bureau de la sécurité privée (BSP).
To obtain this permit, a guard must complete a recognized training program of at least 70 hours in private security. This training covers legal aspects, intervention procedures, report writing, and professional responsibilities.
Without a valid BSP permit, a person cannot legally work as a private security guard covered by the decree. This requirement protects the public, businesses, and the guards themselves.
What are the mandatory premiums for security guards in 2026?
The base hourly rate represents only part of a security guard’s salary. The decree provides several mandatory premiums. However, it is important to understand that they are not paid automatically simply because a guard holds a certification.
To receive a premium, two conditions must be met: the guard must have the required training or qualification, and the assignment must require that specific competency.
P-1 Premium: $0.35 per hour
Paid to a guard trained in fire intervention who is part of the designated fire response team at the request of the client or employer.
P-2 Premium: $0.55 per hour
Paid to a guard whose duties include using a radar or who is authorized to issue parking tickets or other infractions under a law or regulation.
P-3 Premium $2.00 per hour – Paid to a guard who works in an establishment within the meaning of the Act respecting the governance of the health and social services system or section 94 of the Act respecting health services and social services for Inuit and Naskapis, and who has completed, within the last two years, a crisis management training program of at least 16 hours delivered by a trainer recognized by the Crisis Prevention Institute Inc., following which an official certification was issued. This premium also applies to guards working in other sectors when this training is specifically required by the client.
Premium P-4: $0.60 per hour
Paid to a guard who, within the last three years, has completed first aid training including CPR and defibrillator use, lasting at least 16 hours, delivered by an organization recognized by the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail, and for which an official certificate has been issued.
Premium P-6: $2.50 per hour
Paid to a guard who performs their duties while authorized to work with a firearm, when such use is authorized by both the client and the employer.
Premium P-7: $3.00 per hour
Paid to a guard who must provide a shelter and use their personal vehicle for that purpose as part of their duties, when such use is authorized by the client and the employer.
Premium P-8 $2.00 per hour – Paid to a guard who works in the judicial or quasi-judicial sector, including courts and the locations where they are situated, such as courthouses, or who performs duties related to these sectors, such as supervising detainees, witnesses or jurors, and who has completed within the last two years a use-of-force training program of at least 20 hours delivered by a trainer recognized by the Provincial Association of Security Agencies, following which an official certificate has been issued. This premium also applies to guards working in other sectors when the training is required by the client.
Premium P-9: $0.15 per hour
Paid to a guard when no uniform is provided by the employer or when the client and employer require civilian clothing as part of the duties.
Premium P-10: $1.00 per hour
Paid to a guard when the client or employer requires the guard to hold certification from the Joint Association for Occupational Health and Safety in the Construction Sector.
Premium P-11: $1.00 per hour
Paid to a guard only for hours worked between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Premium P-12: $0.50 per hour
Paid to a guard who, within the last two years, has completed customer service training of at least four hours delivered by the Provincial Association of Security Agencies or a training school recognized by the Bureau de la sécurité privée, and who received an official certificate.
Premium P-13: $0.50 per hour
Paid to a guard who works while a public health emergency has been declared by the Government of Quebec across the entire territory under the Public Health Act.
These premiums are mandatory and may be combined. If you have the training and your assignment requires it, the employer must pay them.
For example, if you have CPR training, you are entitled to P-4 premium of $0.60. If you have customer service training, you are entitled to P-12 premium of $0.50. If you work in the judicial sector with use-of-force training, you are entitled to P-8 premium of $2.00. And if you work at night between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., you are entitled to P-11 premium of $1.00.
In total, a salary of about $20 per hour can easily increase to nearly $24 per hour. Training truly increases your pay.
If these premiums do not appear on your pay stub while you are entitled to them, it deserves verification.
My salary as a security guard does not comply with the decree: what should I do?
If you believe your employer does not respect the minimum wage or does not pay the premiums provided for, you have recourse.
The first step is to keep your evidence. Keep your pay stubs, timesheets, hour reports and employment contract. These documents are essential if you file a complaint. In some cases, the situation can be resolved by discussing it with the employer. Some errors may be administrative.
If the situation persists, you can file a complaint with the CNESST.
The CNESST may investigate and require the employer to pay the amounts owed, including unpaid wages and compensation.
You may also contact the Parity Committee.
It is important to understand that the decree must be respected even if the employee had agreed to a lower salary. The law protects the worke
Why choosing a compliant agency changes your professional path
Being a security guard is not only about wearing a uniform. It is a regulated and recognized profession.
Working for an agency that respects the decree means receiving the minimum wage provided, applicable premiums, real supervision and structured management. It also means evolving in a stable professional environment.
If you wish to explore opportunities within an agency committed to its guards, you can consult:
Job Opportunities – Charco Sécurité
Knowing your rights and choosing a compliant employer makes a real difference in your financial stability and professional recognition.
Why don’t companies simply pay the decree wage?
A frequent misunderstanding among companies concerns the difference between the minimum wage set by the decree and the rate charged by a security agency.
The decree sets the minimum salary that must be paid to the guard. However, a company does not only pay the guard’s gross salary when it hires an agency.
An agency must cover social contributions, insurance, CNESST costs, administrative management, ongoing training, field supervision, vehicles, equipment, uniforms, recruitment and a minimum margin to ensure its financial stability.
When a company receives a quote higher than the hourly wage set by the decree, it does not mean the agency is overpaying the guard. It reflects the real cost required to provide a compliant, structured and legal service.
An abnormally low quote may raise questions. If the rate charged is too close to the minimum wage, it becomes difficult for the agency to respect all its legal obligations. Understanding this distinction protects both companies and guards.
FAQ – Security guard salary in 2026
Is it legal to pay a guard below the decree?
No. The decree respecting private security guards is mandatory. No contract or agreement may provide a salary lower than the legal minimum.
Are the premiums mandatory?
Yes. When the conditions are met, the premiums provided for in the decree must be paid. They are not optional.
Can a client demand a price below the salary?
A client may negotiate a quote, but an agency can never accept a contract that would require paying a guard below the legal minimum.
Who supervises the agencies?
The Bureau de la sécurité privée issues permits. The parity committee and the CNESST ensure compliance with wage obligations.
Can the salary be higher than the minimum?
Yes. The decree sets a minimum. An agency may offer a higher salary to recognize experience, training or stability.
Conclusion
The salary of security guards in Quebec in 2026 is not an approximate estimate nor an individual negotiation. It is governed by a clear, precise and mandatory decree.
Understanding the minimum rates, job classes, applicable premiums and available recourses allows guards to practice their profession with confidence. It also allows companies to choose compliant and responsible partners.
Respecting the decree does not only protect wages. It protects the profession, service quality and the credibility of the entire industry.
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