Security Guard Salary Guide UK 2026

Average Security Guard Salary in 2026

The average security guard in the UK earns between £22,000 and £30,000 per year, depending on sector, location, and shift pattern. Hourly rates range from £11.44 (national minimum for 21+) to £18 per hour for specialist roles.

The industry has seen consistent pay increases over the past few years, driven by the National Living Wage rises and the difficulty employers face in recruiting reliable staff.

Pay by Sector

The type of site you guard has the biggest impact on your pay:

Retail Security

• £11.44 to £13 per hour
• The lowest-paid guarding sector
• High-street shops, supermarkets, shopping centres
• High interaction with the public, dealing with shoplifters
• Most roles are daytime, Monday to Saturday

Static Guarding (Warehouses, Industrial)

• £12 to £15 per hour
• Guarding warehouses, factories, and distribution centres
• Often involves night shifts and lone working
• Less public interaction, more patrolling and access control

Corporate Security

• £13 to £16 per hour
• Office buildings, banks, data centres, tech companies
• Front-of-house reception security is common
• Smart dress code, professional environment
• Often includes additional duties like post room, fire warden

Construction Site Security

• £13 to £18 per hour
• Higher rates due to outdoor conditions and unsociable hours
• Often requires a CSCS card in addition to the SIA licence
• 12-hour shifts (day or night) are standard
• Read our construction security guide for full details

Healthcare and Hospital Security

• £13 to £16 per hour
• NHS hospitals and private healthcare facilities
• Requires enhanced vetting and often additional training
• Dealing with patients in mental health crisis requires specific conflict management skills
• One of the more rewarding but emotionally demanding sectors

Mobile Patrol and Key Holding

• £12 to £16 per hour
• Driving between multiple sites conducting security checks
• Responding to alarm activations
• Requires a clean driving licence
• Often involves night work and lone working

Regional Pay Differences

| Region | Typical Hourly Rate (Guarding) |

|---|---|

| London | £14 to £18 |

| South East | £12 to £15 |

| South West | £11.44 to £14 |

| Midlands | £11.44 to £14 |

| North West | £11.44 to £14 |

| North East and Yorkshire | £11.44 to £14 |

| Scotland | £12 to £15 |

| Wales | £11.44 to £13 |

London consistently pays 15 to 25 percent more than the rest of the UK, reflecting the higher cost of living and the concentration of corporate clients.

Shift Pattern and Premium Pay

Your shift pattern significantly affects your annual earnings:

Day Shifts (06:00 to 18:00)

• Standard rates apply
• Best for work-life balance
• Most corporate and retail roles are days

Night Shifts (18:00 to 06:00)

• Premium of £1 to £3 per hour above day rate
• Construction and industrial sites often pay the highest night premiums
• Annual earnings increase by 10 to 20 percent compared to days-only

Weekends

• Some employers pay a weekend premium (£0.50 to £2 per hour extra)
• Not universal — check your contract

Bank Holidays

• Time and a half is standard but not legally required
• New Year's Eve and Christmas pay can be significantly higher

Overtime

• Many security companies offer regular overtime
• Often paid at the standard rate, but some offer time and a quarter or time and a half

Annual Salary Examples

To put hourly rates in context, here are some typical annual earnings based on common shift patterns:

| Role | Hours/Week | Hourly Rate | Annual (Approx.) |

|---|---|---|---|

| Retail guard (days) | 40 | £12.00 | £24,960 |

| Corporate guard (days) | 42 | £14.00 | £30,576 |

| Construction guard (nights) | 48 | £15.50 | £38,688 |

| Mobile patrol (mixed) | 45 | £13.50 | £31,590 |

| London corporate (days) | 42 | £16.00 | £34,944 |

How to Earn More as a Security Guard

Move into construction or corporate security — these sectors consistently pay more than retail

Accept night shifts — the premium adds up over a year

Get your CSCS card — opens up construction sites, which pay £2 to £4 more per hour

Get first aid and fire marshal qualifications — makes you more valuable to employers

Apply to in-house security roles — companies that employ guards directly (banks, hospitals, tech firms) often pay more than contract security companies

Target London or major city roles — even with commuting costs, the pay difference is significant

Work towards supervision — team leader roles add £1 to £3 per hour with a clear path to management

Benefits Beyond the Hourly Rate

Do not just look at the hourly rate when comparing offers. Consider:

• Holiday pay — 28 days statutory minimum (pro-rata for part-time)
• Pension contributions — auto-enrolment means your employer contributes
• Uniform provision — some companies charge for uniforms, others provide free
• Training and development — some employers fund additional qualifications
• Overtime availability — a slightly lower base rate with plenty of overtime can earn more than a higher rate with limited hours

Find security guard jobs with the best rates on Security Jobs UK.