Think security work caps out at £12.50/hour? You might be right for most roles, but there’s more to the story. While security has traditionally been seen as a “stepping stone” career, the industry is evolving. The UK security industry has seen significant changes in 2025, and new legislation, professional standards, and specialised roles are creating better opportunities for those who know where to look.
Ready to discover what security professionals are actually earning in 2025? More importantly, ready to learn how to position yourself for the better-paying opportunities that do exist? Let’s look at the real numbers and the practical strategies that can help you maximise your earning potential in security.
What’s Actually Changed in Security Salaries This Year
Three major factors have impacted security salaries in 2025:
- Martyn’s Law is here. This new legislation requires enhanced security at public venues, creating demand for qualified professionals in specific sectors such as education, healthcare, and hospitality. Venues need more staff trained in counter-terror and crowd management, so employers are paying more to attract and retain the right people.
- The industry has gotten serious about standards. Mandatory SIA refresher training and higher professional requirements mean better pay for qualified security staff in some areas. Staff who invest in keeping their licenses up to date are increasingly being rewarded with higher hourly rates, as companies compete for a smaller pool of fully compliant workers.
- Living costs have gone up, and so have wage floors. The real Living Wage increase to £12.60/hour has lifted the minimum for accredited employers. That means full-time security staff working for these companies can expect at least £25,000 a year — a baseline that puts upward pressure on wages across the industry.
Bottom line: while the industry is professionalising, most roles still pay modestly, with better opportunities concentrated in specialised areas. Security pay is finally moving, but not evenly. While most everyday roles hover around modest wages, the real jump in earnings is happening in specialised, higher-responsibility positions where demand is strongest.
What Security Professionals Actually Earn in 2025
Here’s the reality of security salary rates across the UK right now:
| Role | Entry-Level | Experienced | Specialist/Management |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security Officer | £12.60-£13.50/hour | £13.20-£15.00/hour | £16.00-£18.00/hour |
| Door Supervisor | £13.00-£14.00/hour | £14.04-£16.00/hour | £16.00-£18.00/hour |
| CCTV Operator | £12.60-£13.50/hour | £13.33-£16.00/hour | £16.00-£18.00/hour |
| Close Protection | £13.33-£16.00/hour | £17.95-£25.64/hour | £28.21-£41.03/hour* |
| Security Manager | £16.00-£20.00/hour | £22.59-£28.00/hour | £28.00-£33.33/hour* |
*Close protection rates vary significantly based on client type and assignment duration. Daily rates of £180-£350 are possible, but inconsistent work patterns affect annual earnings.
Note: These figures are based on publicly available data from UK job boards and job postings and are subject to change.
The Reality Check
These numbers reflect what most employers are paying right now — not the glossy “up to” figures. Hitting the top of a range usually means extra qualifications, specialised experience, or working in premium locations like central London.
And that’s the catch — most.
Yes, there are standout roles that pay well above the norm, but they’re outliers — not typical earning potential. For the majority of security professionals, take-home pay sits comfortably within these ranges.
Where Security Salaries Pay Best Across the UK
When comparing security salaries across the UK, location makes a significant difference. Here’s the breakdown of what the regional data shows:
| Region | Typical Range | Why |
|---|---|---|
| London & Southeast | £14.00-£20.00/hour | Financial district, corporate security, high living costs |
| West Midlands | £13.00-£15.00/hour | Strong retail and industrial presence |
| North West | £13.00-£14.00/hour | Growing events and nightlife security |
| Scotland | £13.00-£14.00/hour | Public sector and transport security |
| Wales | £12.60-£13.50/hour | Tourism and seasonal opportunities |
FYI: London pays more in absolute terms, but when you factor in housing costs, northern regions often offer better value for money.
The Career Progression Reality: From £12.60 to £33.33+ Per Hour
Breaking into security might start at entry-level pay, but the ceiling is far higher than most expect. With the right mix of experience, training, and ambition, it’s possible to move from modest beginnings to a £33/hour career.
Here’s what a realistic security career progression looks like:
Years 1-2: Building Your Foundation (£12.60-£14.00/hour)
Most new security professionals start at or just above the National Living Wage (£12.21/hour). Entry-level positions typically offer £12.60-£13.50/hour for security officers and £13.00-£14.00/hour for door supervisors. The focus during this period should be on mastering the basics, building an excellent reputation, and completing your first year without incidents. Consider gaining additional SIA licences or beginning to specialise in a specific area to increase your earning potential.
Years 3-5: Developing Expertise (£14.00-£18.00/hour)
With experience comes increased responsibility and better pay. Experienced security officers earn £13.20-£15.00/hour, while experienced door supervisors can command £14.04-£16.00/hour. This is the stage where you become reliable in complex situations and may lead training for new staff or handle specialised assignments. Consider supervisory roles or high-demand specialisations to continue your progression.
Years 5+: Leadership and Specialisation (£18.00-£33.33+/hour)
Security managers earn £22.59-£28.00/hour on average, with senior specialist positions reaching £28.00-£33.33/hour. At this level, you’re focused on team leadership, specialised expertise, or niche markets. Key milestones include managing a team or securing consistent specialised contracts. Next steps include senior security management, consultancy, or specialised services.
Market Drivers Supporting Progression:
- Skills shortage in specialised areas
- Higher standards requiring experienced staff
- Technology integration creating new roles
- Regulatory changes creating compliance positions
The Higher-Paying Specialisations Worth Pursuing
If your goal is to maximise earning potential, some areas of security consistently pay more than others. Here are the specialisations that stand out:
Close Protection (£13.33-£41.03/hour)
This is the premium tier of security careers. Close protection officers safeguard high-profile individuals, from celebrities to corporate executives. The role demands extensive training, rigorous background checks, and the ability to adapt to unpredictable situations. Earnings vary widely depending on the client and frequency of work, with daily rates of £180–£350 possible, though consistency can be a challenge.
Security Management (£16.00-£33.33/hour)
Stepping into management means leading teams, overseeing operations, and ensuring compliance. These roles require both deep security knowledge and strong leadership skills. Security managers are among the highest earners in the industry, especially in corporate environments where responsibilities are broader and stakes are higher.
Corporate Security (£14.00-£20.00/hour)
Corporate security focuses on protecting businesses, intellectual property, and executive teams. These roles often come with added stability and benefits packages, which can significantly increase overall compensation. While not as high-risk as close protection, they offer long-term career security.
Specialised Technical Roles (£13.33-£20.00/hour)
As the industry becomes increasingly tech-driven, demand is growing for specialists in CCTV management, access control, and integrated security systems. These technical roles may not carry the glamour of frontline work but provide solid pay and strong career prospects in a rapidly expanding field.
What Separates Higher Earners from Everyone Else
The difference between security professionals earning £12.60/hour and those earning £40+/hour isn’t just experience. It’s understanding what employers value most and positioning yourself strategically.
Higher earners think strategically. They don’t just follow procedures; they understand the business impact of security. When a retail client has theft issues, they analyse patterns and suggest improvements, not just write reports.
They specialise intelligently. While others stay generalists, higher earners become experts in specific, in-demand areas. Whether it’s corporate security, event management, or loss prevention, they develop deep knowledge in their chosen niche.
They document their value. Every incident prevented, every cost saved, every process improved gets recorded. During salary reviews, they present evidence of their contribution, not just time served.
They invest in continuous learning. Additional certifications, industry courses, and professional development are part of their journey. They understand that employers pay premiums for proven expertise. Check out this guide on the top 5 SIA courses you should consider for a thriving career in security.
How to Actually Increase Your Security Salary
Boosting your pay in security isn’t about luck — it’s about strategy. From stacking the right licences to proving yourself on tough shifts, there are clear, practical steps that move you up the pay scale. Here’s how professionals in the industry really turn modest wages into long-term earning power.
Here’s what works in practice for increasing your earning potential:
Your First Six Months: Building the Foundation
- Get multiple SIA licences: Door Supervisor licences and Security Guard licences open more opportunities. Agencies prefer multi-licensed operatives because they can cover various assignments.
- Volunteer for challenging shifts: Night shifts, weekend events, and last-minute cover increase immediate income and demonstrate reliability to employers.
- Work with multiple agencies: Don’t depend on one source of work. The best-paid security professionals maintain relationships with several agencies.
Six to Eighteen Months: Developing Your Expertise
- Specialise in high-demand areas: Events, retail loss prevention, or corporate security. Specialists command higher rates because they solve specific problems.
- Pursue additional training: First aid, conflict resolution, and customer service certifications make you more valuable and justify higher pay rates.
- Document everything: Maintain records of achievements, incident-free periods, and positive feedback. This becomes valuable during salary negotiations.
Eighteen Months and Beyond: Positioning for Leadership
- Target supervisory roles: Moving from hourly rates to salaries often means significant increases. Security supervisors and managers typically earn up to £33+ per hour because they handle teams and strategic decisions.
- Consider specialised training: Close protection or security consultancy training can open higher-paying opportunities, though work may be less consistent.
- Build industry networks: Professional associations and industry events create opportunities that never reach job boards.
Frequently Asked Questions About Security Salaries
Q: Is £15+/hour realistic for a security officer?
A: Yes, but it typically requires experience, a London location, or corporate clients. Entry-level security officers start at £12.60-£13.50/hour, but experienced officers can earn £13.20-£15.00/hour. In London, the average is £14.27/hour, with some positions reaching £15.00-£16.00/hour for experienced professionals in premium locations.
Q: How quickly can I progress to the management level?
A: With the right approach, 3-5 years is realistic for supervisory roles. Security managers earn £22.59/hour average (£44,054/year), with entry-level management starting at £16.00-£20.00/hour. Focus on leadership skills, maintaining excellent records, and pursuing additional SIA training to accelerate your progression. Get Licensed offers a bunch of e-learning courses you can enrol in to upskill and advance your career.
Q: Do I need a degree for higher-paying security roles?
A: Not usually. Experience, certifications, and proven performance matter more. However, some corporate roles may prefer degree-qualified candidates for senior positions. However, some corporate security roles paying £18.00-£20.00/hour may prefer degree-qualified candidates for senior positions, particularly in management roles earning £25.00+/hour.
Q: How much do close protection officers make realistically?
A: Entry-level: £13.33-£16.00/hour. Experienced: £17.95-£25.64/hour. Top-tier specialists can earn £28.21-£41.03/hour, but work consistency varies significantly. Daily rates of £180-£350 are possible for experienced operatives, but irregular work patterns mean annual earnings can fluctuate considerably.
Q: Are security salaries keeping up with inflation?
A: In specialised areas, yes. Basic security roles have seen modest increases, while specialised and management positions have improved more significantly.
Your Next Move: Practical Steps For Security Professionals
The opportunities exist, but they require strategic thinking and upskilling. The question isn’t whether security can pay well – it’s whether you’re ready to develop the skills and expertise that employers value most. Guesswork won’t work! You need to make conscious efforts to maximise your earning potential and secure a role that helps you thrive in your security career.
- If you’re starting out: Get your SIA licence and focus on building an excellent reputation. Your first year sets the foundation for everything that follows.
- If you’re experienced: Consider specialisation or additional training. The industry rewards expertise more than general experience.
- If you’re considering a career change: Security offers steady employment with progression opportunities, but set realistic salary expectations based on your location and specialisation.
The security industry needs reliable professionals who understand their value and are willing to develop their skills. Your earning potential depends on the strategic choices you make and the expertise you develop.
Ready to take the next step? Check out our SIA training courses and book a programme that aligns with your career goals.
