this post was submitted on 16 Mar 2026
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how ?
Well, first off the pool is lower because you can't just grab some rando off the street. The whole job is protecting the hen house and you absolutely can NOT put a fox in that position. Reputation, etc:
You also can't put someone who can be turned into a fox into the position. If you're protecting something that could potentially be worth billions stolen, you don't want to pay starvation wages where the instability would make the risk of betrayal seem lower.
If the person you trust now also has to move, then you also have to pay extra for that.
Every movie makes the security guard a big guy falling asleep in front of an array of monitors but that's not the case if the thing you're protecting is worth a LOT.
Easy. Data centers need security 24/7.
(150k/52 weeks in a year) = 2884.62 a week
(2884.62/ 168 hours per week) = $17.17 an hour.
That assumes the employee is working 24/7 which can't be done.
When accounting for a normal 40 hour week you get a much different number. 2884.62/40 hours per week = $72.12 a hour
Large corporations see roles and not individual people. There needs to be [guard] in [location] which costs 150k.
If you think a security guard is paid $72 an hour I'm going to come work for you.
What I'm getting at is that your logic is assuming the guard lives at the data center and is always on duty. Now forgive me because I'm completely ignorant to this topic, but I don't think that would be the case here. It would probably be the same as other jobs with scheduled hourly shifts. High profile areas will generally pay higher due to the importance of what needs to be secured.
No, it assumes that there will be A guard always on duty, and that cost is $150,000. In reality that $150,000 is probably 3 or more different guards, with rotating shifts, each making about $17/hr.
I never said or implied that a single human would work 24/7. That IS stupid.
Your original example was breaking down pay by dividing 168 hours. That's 24 * 7. How is that not implying 24/7? Regardless, I stated my ignorance on the matter so I'll accept that I must be wrong on this matter and just let this die. Hope y'all have a great rest of your day.