Tired of dead-end jobs with no prospects? The security industry is experiencing a career boom, and there’s never been a better time to get in. With over 432,000 active SIA licence holders working across the UK and 65,000 new positions created recently, security offers real career stability.

The best part? You don’t need years of experience or expensive qualifications. Just an SIA licence and the right attitude can open doors to careers paying £20,000 to £60,000+.

What Kind of Jobs Are in Security?

Security isn’t just about standing at doors. The industry covers everything from protecting office buildings and shopping centres to personal protection and high-tech surveillance. You could be working at airports, corporate headquarters, music festivals, or even accompanying celebrities on tour. The beauty of security work is that your skills transfer across roles. Start in retail security, move to events, then progress to specialist areas like close protection.

Currently, the UK security industry employs approximately 262,800 people across diverse roles. Security businesses have increased their workforces by 16% since July 2022, recruiting specialists from retail protection to cyber security. Most employers value reliability over experience. They want people who turn up on time, handle situations calmly, and represent their business professionally. If that sounds like you, you’re already halfway there!

Here are 10 verified security careers you can start this year.

1. Security Guard (Retail/Corporate)

Security guards are the foundation of UK security services, with approximately 140,700 guards currently employed nationwide. These professionals are the first line of defence for businesses, combining customer service with security expertise.

What you’ll do: Protect retail stores, offices, and business premises while providing customer assistance and maintaining a professional security presence.

Earning potential: £21,700 average annually (£14,500 starting – £30,000 experienced)

SIA licence needed: Security Guard licence

Day-to-day: Conduct building patrols, check visitor credentials, write incident reports, and manage deliveries.

What makes this role appealing: Steady hours with clear responsibilities, excellent for those valuing routine. Many guards build long-term relationships with the businesses they protect.

Growth potential: Team leader roles, specialist retail security, or corporate security with higher pay.

2. Door Supervisor

Essential for the UK’s nighttime economy, door supervisors play a key role in managing venue access and crowd safety. They also require excellent people skills and the ability to defuse potentially volatile situations professionally.

What you’ll do: Control entry to pubs, clubs, and events while maintaining safe environments for customers and staff.

Earning potential: £24,471 average annually (£20,141-£29,732 range, higher on weekends)

SIA licence needed: Door Supervisor licence

Day-to-day: Check IDs, manage guest lists, monitor crowd behaviour, intervene in disputes, coordinate with police and emergency services.

What makes this role appealing: Social work environment with premium weekend rates. Never boring, with the opportunity to prevent problems before they escalate.

Growth potential: Head doorman positions, event security management, and venue operations roles.

3. Close Protection Officer

Close protection involves elite security work protecting high-profile individuals facing genuine personal risks. This demanding role requires extensive training and offers exceptional career rewards for dedicated professionals.

What you’ll do: Provide discreet personal protection for executives, celebrities, and high-risk individuals in challenging environments.

Earning potential: £31,467 average (£24,000-£42,000 range, significantly higher internationally)

SIA licence needed: Close Protection licence

Day-to-day: Conduct threat assessments, plan secure routes, coordinate with law enforcement, manage media attention, and maintain constant vigilance.

What makes this role appealing: Exceptional earning potential reflecting high responsibility. Intellectually challenging work with genuine variety and travel opportunities.

Growth potential: Team leadership, specialist protection details, international assignments with premium rates.

Recommended Reading: Top 5 Security Courses

4. CCTV Operator

CCTV operators are responsible for technology-focused security monitoring and sophisticated surveillance networks, protecting communities and infrastructure. Perfect for detail-oriented individuals who prefer analytical work over direct confrontation.

What you’ll do: Monitor multiple camera feeds simultaneously, coordinating real-time responses to incidents across large areas.

Earning potential: £24,052 average (£18,655-£31,010 range)

SIA licence needed: CCTV Operator licence

Day-to-day: Observe camera feeds for suspicious activity, coordinate emergency responses, compile evidence for police investigations.

What makes this role appealing: Indoor work with regular hours, using cutting-edge technology. Appeals to those preferring analytical work over direct confrontation.

Growth potential: Senior operator positions, control room management, specialist surveillance roles.

5. Event Security Officer

By opting for this profession, you’ll get to manage crowd safety at concerts, festivals, sporting events, and corporate functions across the UK’s busy events calendar. This role combines the excitement of live events with professional security responsibility.

What you’ll do: Control crowd flow and access while maintaining public safety at venues from intimate events to massive festivals.

Earning potential: £20,000-£35,000 annually, significantly higher during festival season

SIA licence needed: Door Supervisor or Security Guard licence

Day-to-day: Coordinate with organisers and emergency services, manage entry points, monitor crowd behaviour, and make quick decisions under pressure.

What makes this role appealing: Work at high-profile events with excitement and variety. Excellent networking opportunities within the entertainment industry.

Growth potential: Event security management, venue specialist roles, crowd control consultancy.

6. Mobile Security Patrol

Mobile security patrol officers provide flexible security coverage across multiple sites with rapid response services for businesses needing professional presence. The role is ideal for those who prefer variety and independence in their daily work routine.

What you’ll do: Conduct scheduled security checks across assigned routes while providing rapid alarm response services.

Earning potential: £19,000-£27,000 annually

SIA licence needed: Security Guard licence

Day-to-day: Follow patrol routes, maintain detailed site logs, respond to emergency calls, and build relationships with multiple business clients.

What makes this role appealing: Independence and variety make every day different. Suits those preferring active work to static positions.

Growth potential: Area supervisor roles, specialist response teams, client account management.

7. Security Consultant

If you want to leverage operational experience to help businesses develop comprehensive protection strategies, a security consultant role allows you to combine fieldwork with analysis. This role suits experienced professionals looking to use their expertise in an advisory capacity.

What you’ll do: Assess business security needs and design tailored protection solutions from physical measures to staff training.

Earning potential: £30,000-£50,000+ annually

SIA licence needed: Door Supervisor licence plus substantial industry experience

Day-to-day: Conduct site surveys, perform vulnerability assessments, prepare reports, and present findings to senior management.

What makes this role appealing: Use practical knowledge to solve complex problems. A mix of fieldwork and office-based analysis provides variety.

Growth potential: Independent consulting, specialist sector expertise, senior security management.

8. Cash and Valuables in Transit

Handle secure movement of money and high-value items for specialist companies serving banks and retailers as a CViT security officer. This role requires physical fitness and strict adherence to security protocols for safe transportation.

What you’ll do: Ensure safe collection and delivery of cash, precious metals, and valuables while maintaining strict security protocols.

Earning potential: £22,000-£30,000 annually

SIA licence needed: Cash and Valuables in Transit licence

Day-to-day: Follow secure routes, maintain radio contact with control rooms, handle armoured vehicle operations, and implement emergency procedures.

What makes this role appealing: Higher pay reflects significant responsibility. Strong team support with clear procedures for every scenario.

Growth potential: Team leader positions, route management, regional coordination roles.

9. Aviation Security Officer

Protect critical transport networks, working at airports to maintain the highest security standards for air travel, by opting for a career in aviation security. This role contributes directly to national security while offering structured career progression opportunities.

What you’ll do: Operate sophisticated screening equipment while maintaining vigilance for potential threats to aviation safety.

Earning potential: £22,000-£32,000 annually

SIA licence needed: Security Guard licence plus aviation training

Day-to-day: Operate X-ray machines and scanners, follow protocols for suspicious items, and coordinate with Border Force and police.

What makes this role appealing: Structured career progression while contributing to national security. Airport employment includes excellent benefits.

Growth potential: Senior screening officer, supervisory roles, specialist aviation security positions.

10. Cyber Security Officer

Fastest-growing security area with 67,300 people employed in UK cyber security, up 11% annually. This role bridges traditional physical security with cutting-edge digital protection technologies.

What you’ll do: Monitor computer networks for threats while implementing digital protection measures and responding to cyber incidents.

Earning potential: £25,000-£45,000+ annually

SIA licence needed: Door Supervisor or Security Guard licence plus cyber security qualifications

Day-to-day: Analyse security logs, monitor network traffic, coordinate incident responses with IT teams, implement protection protocols.

What makes this role appealing: Cyber security sector reached £7.8 billion in economic value, reflecting strong growth. Remote work options available.

Growth potential: Cyber security analyst, specialist threat intelligence, IT security management.

How to Get Security Jobs in the UK

The security industry actively recruits new people with clear pathways from training to employment.

Step 1: Get Your SIA Licence

Start with the right licence for your target role. Get Licensed provides SIA-approved training with over 95% pass rates and direct employer connections.

Step 2: Apply Strategically

Use our job board to find roles seeking newly qualified candidates. Focus on companies matching your availability and location.

Step 3: Start and Progress

Your first role provides essential experience and industry contacts for future advancement. Many current managers began as frontline officers.

What Employers Actually Want

These are the key qualities security employers prioritise when hiring new staff:

• Reliability – Consistent attendance matters more than experience

• Common sense – Assess situations calmly and escalate appropriately

• Professional communication – Handle all interactions professionally

• Physical fitness – Most roles require reasonable fitness levels

• Clean background – SIA vetting ensures all licence holders meet standards

Start Your Security Career Today

The UK security industry offers genuine opportunities with continued growth across all sectors. Whether you want steady shifts, weekend work, or exciting specialist roles, there’s a career matching your ambitions. Get Licensed offers a vast range of training courses that can help you excel in the security industry and get a high-paying job, including door supervisor training, CCTV training, close protection training, and various e-learning courses for skills development.

Book your SIA course today to get started.

Disclaimer: The income potential quoted in this blog is based on available industry insights. Numbers may vary based on geographical locations, experience, employers, and the type of security roles.