How Much Do Security Guards Get Paid in the UK? 2026 Salary Guide
A detailed guide to the pay of 19 security roles, from static guarding and retail security to door supervision, CCTV, dog handling and close protection.
Quick Answer: What Does a UK Security Guard Earn?
Reported average security guard pay was approximately £13.51 per hour in March 2026, compared with £14.16 per hour for door supervisors, according to Get Licensed citing Indeed. From April 2026, the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 per hour.
About this guide
Prepared for Citywide Security Company UK to help officers, applicants, facilities managers and employers understand wages, working arrangements and the real cost of professional guarding. Salary estimates are separated from official statutory rates and reported survey figures.
Security Guard Salary Comparison: 19 UK Roles
The ranges below are illustrative hourly gross-pay bands. Specialist work, regional differences and irregular contracts can produce results outside these bands.
| Role | Indicative hourly pay | Typical responsibilities |
|---|---|---|
| Static security guard | £12.71–£14.50 | Access control, patrols and incident reporting. |
| Corporate security officer | £13.50–£17.00 | Offices, visitor management and professional front-of-house security. |
| Retail security officer | £12.71–£15.00 | Loss prevention, customer safety and conflict management. |
| Construction site guard | £12.71–£15.50 | Site access, plant protection and out-of-hours patrols. |
| Door supervisor | £13.00–£18.00 | Licensed premises, queues and incident management. |
| Event security officer | £12.71–£17.00 | Concerts, sporting events and controlled entry. |
| CCTV operator | £13.00–£17.00 | Surveillance, incident escalation and control rooms. |
| Mobile patrol officer | £13.00–£16.00 | Multi-site checks, patrols and mobile response. |
| Keyholding and alarm response | £13.00–£17.00 | Alarm attendance and secure-premises checks. |
| Hospital security officer | £13.00–£16.50 | Patient-facing environments and de-escalation. |
| Hotel security officer | £12.71–£16.00 | Guest safety, discretion and emergency response. |
| Residential security officer | £13.00–£17.00 | Estate patrols, access control and concierge interfaces. |
| Warehouse security officer | £12.71–£15.00 | Logistics access, deliveries and perimeter security. |
| Aviation security officer | £13.00–£18.00 | Airport and aviation-specific screening or guarding. |
| Maritime and port security | £13.00–£18.00 | Port access, terminals and restricted areas. |
| Security dog handler | £14.00–£20.00 | Dog-assisted patrols and additional animal-care costs. |
| Close protection operative | £16.00–£30.00+ | Personal protection, travel and risk assessment. |
| Security supervisor | £14.00–£19.00 | Rotas, inspections and frontline team oversight. |
| Security manager | £17.00–£27.00+ | Contracts, budgets, compliance and client relationships. |
How Much Does Each Type of Security Officer Earn?
Security is not one uniform occupation. Working conditions, customer contact, specialist systems, regulated activities and supervisory responsibilities all influence pay.
1. Static security guard
Indicative hourly pay: £12.71–£14.50
Access control, patrols and incident reporting. Pay depends on the employer, location, shift pattern, training requirements and actual duties. These are illustrative market-planning bands, not independently measured national averages for the individual occupation.
2. Corporate security officer
Indicative hourly pay: £13.50–£17.00
Offices, visitor management and professional front-of-house security. Pay depends on the employer, location, shift pattern, training requirements and actual duties. These are illustrative market-planning bands, not independently measured national averages for the individual occupation.
3. Retail security officer
Indicative hourly pay: £12.71–£15.00
Loss prevention, customer safety and conflict management. Pay depends on the employer, location, shift pattern, training requirements and actual duties. These are illustrative market-planning bands, not independently measured national averages for the individual occupation.
4. Construction site guard
Indicative hourly pay: £12.71–£15.50
Site access, plant protection and out-of-hours patrols. Pay depends on the employer, location, shift pattern, training requirements and actual duties. These are illustrative market-planning bands, not independently measured national averages for the individual occupation.
5. Door supervisor
Indicative hourly pay: £13.00–£18.00
Licensed premises, queues and incident management. Pay depends on the employer, location, shift pattern, training requirements and actual duties. These are illustrative market-planning bands, not independently measured national averages for the individual occupation.
6. Event security officer
Indicative hourly pay: £12.71–£17.00
Concerts, sporting events and controlled entry. Pay depends on the employer, location, shift pattern, training requirements and actual duties. These are illustrative market-planning bands, not independently measured national averages for the individual occupation.
7. CCTV operator
Indicative hourly pay: £13.00–£17.00
Surveillance, incident escalation and control rooms. Pay depends on the employer, location, shift pattern, training requirements and actual duties. These are illustrative market-planning bands, not independently measured national averages for the individual occupation.
8. Mobile patrol officer
Indicative hourly pay: £13.00–£16.00
Multi-site checks, patrols and mobile response. Pay depends on the employer, location, shift pattern, training requirements and actual duties. These are illustrative market-planning bands, not independently measured national averages for the individual occupation.
9. Keyholding and alarm response
Indicative hourly pay: £13.00–£17.00
Alarm attendance and secure-premises checks. Pay depends on the employer, location, shift pattern, training requirements and actual duties. These are illustrative market-planning bands, not independently measured national averages for the individual occupation.
10. Hospital security officer
Indicative hourly pay: £13.00–£16.50
Patient-facing environments and de-escalation. Pay depends on the employer, location, shift pattern, training requirements and actual duties. These are illustrative market-planning bands, not independently measured national averages for the individual occupation.
11. Hotel security officer
Indicative hourly pay: £12.71–£16.00
Guest safety, discretion and emergency response. Pay depends on the employer, location, shift pattern, training requirements and actual duties. These are illustrative market-planning bands, not independently measured national averages for the individual occupation.
12. Residential security officer
Indicative hourly pay: £13.00–£17.00
Estate patrols, access control and concierge interfaces. Pay depends on the employer, location, shift pattern, training requirements and actual duties. These are illustrative market-planning bands, not independently measured national averages for the individual occupation.
13. Warehouse security officer
Indicative hourly pay: £12.71–£15.00
Logistics access, deliveries and perimeter security. Pay depends on the employer, location, shift pattern, training requirements and actual duties. These are illustrative market-planning bands, not independently measured national averages for the individual occupation.
14. Aviation security officer
Indicative hourly pay: £13.00–£18.00
Airport and aviation-specific screening or guarding. Pay depends on the employer, location, shift pattern, training requirements and actual duties. These are illustrative market-planning bands, not independently measured national averages for the individual occupation.
15. Maritime and port security
Indicative hourly pay: £13.00–£18.00
Port access, terminals and restricted areas. Pay depends on the employer, location, shift pattern, training requirements and actual duties. These are illustrative market-planning bands, not independently measured national averages for the individual occupation.
16. Security dog handler
Indicative hourly pay: £14.00–£20.00
Dog-assisted patrols and additional animal-care costs. Pay depends on the employer, location, shift pattern, training requirements and actual duties. These are illustrative market-planning bands, not independently measured national averages for the individual occupation.
17. Close protection operative
Indicative hourly pay: £16.00–£30.00+
Personal protection, travel and risk assessment. Pay depends on the employer, location, shift pattern, training requirements and actual duties. These are illustrative market-planning bands, not independently measured national averages for the individual occupation.
18. Security supervisor
Indicative hourly pay: £14.00–£19.00
Rotas, inspections and frontline team oversight. Pay depends on the employer, location, shift pattern, training requirements and actual duties. These are illustrative market-planning bands, not independently measured national averages for the individual occupation.
19. Security manager
Indicative hourly pay: £17.00–£27.00+
Contracts, budgets, compliance and client relationships. Pay depends on the employer, location, shift pattern, training requirements and actual duties. These are illustrative market-planning bands, not independently measured national averages for the individual occupation.
Security Guard Pay by UK Region
London has corporate, hospitality, construction and premium residential assignments, but location does not guarantee a higher wage. Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Bristol, Oxford, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Cardiff each have different mixes of commercial, industrial and event security work.
Regional averages from job platforms can reflect small or changing samples. Compare actual vacancies with similar duties, paid hours and benefits before drawing conclusions. London pay should also be assessed against commuting and housing costs.
Why London can offer specialist opportunities
Corporate headquarters, financial institutions, large commercial properties and hospitality venues may demand additional customer service, access control and incident-management skills. For a client-side overview, see professional security services in London.
SIA Licensing, Qualifications and Pay
An SIA licence permits certain regulated activities; it does not guarantee a salary. Security Guarding, Door Supervision, Public Space Surveillance (CCTV), Close Protection and other licence categories have different permitted activities. Some aviation screening, stewarding and in-house roles are subject to different rules.
The standard SIA licence application fee is £204 from 1 April 2026, excluding training. Confirm the correct licence for the work using official SIA guidance.
How Shift Patterns Change Annual Earnings
At £14 per paid hour, 36 hours weekly produces £26,208 gross annually; 42 hours produces £30,576; and 48 hours produces £34,944. These assume a consistent schedule for 52 weeks, without unpaid breaks or deductions.
A four-on, four-off rota of 12-hour shifts averages 42 scheduled hours weekly before unpaid breaks. Weekend, bank-holiday and night premiums are not universally required by law. Check the employment contract and working-time rules.
PAYE versus self-employment
A contractor’s higher invoice rate is not directly comparable with a PAYE wage. Holiday entitlement, pension contributions, insurance, expenses, gaps between assignments and legal employment status all affect the real financial outcome.
Why Clients Pay More Than Security Officers Earn
Commercial security rates must account for more than an officer’s gross wage. Depending on the contract, employers may need to fund paid leave, employer National Insurance, pensions, recruitment, uniforms, training, insurance, supervision, relief cover and administration.
| Illustrative component | Hourly allocation |
|---|---|
| Officer’s gross wage | £14.00 |
| Holiday provision and employer costs | £3.20 |
| Recruitment, training and uniforms | £0.80 |
| Supervision and operational support | £1.50 |
| Insurance, systems and administration | £1.00 |
| Operating margin and contingency | £3.50 |
| Total illustrative client rate | £24.00 |
Businesses assessing guarding should compare the written service specification, licensed staff, incident reporting, supervision and absence cover, not simply the lowest hourly price. Explore Citywide’s London security company services for operational context.
How Security Officers Can Increase Their Earnings
Relevant experience, strong incident reporting, professional communication, CCTV expertise, complex-site competence and supervisory skills may improve access to higher-paid work. Additional SIA qualifications can expand eligibility but do not guarantee a pay rise.
What makes a good job offer?
Compare the actual paid hours, predictable shifts, travel costs, pension arrangements, paid leave, training support, lone-working requirements and progression opportunities. A slightly lower hourly rate with reliable full-time hours may provide more annual income than irregular specialist work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a security guard earn per hour in 2026?
The March 2026 reported average was £13.51 per hour. Individual vacancies vary considerably.
How much does a door supervisor earn?
A March 2026 reported average was £14.16 per hour; shifts and venue type affect actual earnings.
What is the legal minimum for an adult security officer?
From April 2026, the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 per hour.
Do night shifts pay extra?
There is no universal statutory night premium. Any enhancement normally depends on the contract.
Can a security guard earn £40,000?
Yes, through a higher rate, more paid hours or a specialist or supervisory position, subject to working-time requirements.
Does an SIA licence guarantee higher pay?
No. Licensing determines eligibility for regulated work, not a fixed wage.
How much does an SIA licence cost?
The standard application fee is £204 from April 2026, excluding training.
Are client guarding charges the same as officer wages?
No. Client charges also support employer costs, cover, insurance, supervision and operational delivery.
Sources and Research Methodology
Research date: 15 October 2026. Statutory rates and licensing fees should be checked directly against government sources. The reported March 2026 average wages are separate from editorial estimates for individual roles.
- GOV.UK: National Minimum Wage rates
- SIA: licence fee rebate ending April 2026
- National Careers Service: Security Officer
- Get Licensed: security pay and living wage
- Indeed: UK security guard salary reports
- SIA: who needs a licence?
- GOV.UK: holiday pay
Method: Annual figures use hourly pay × 40 × 52 unless a different schedule is specified. All figures are gross, and indicative bands are not official occupational statistics.
Looking for Professional Security Coverage?
Understanding officer pay is one part of evaluating a security contract. Licensing, supervision, site procedures and reliable cover matter just as much.
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