Security Officer Jobs in the UK: Pay, Shifts and the SIA Licence (2026)

Step 1 of 3: Job overview

The National Careers Service puts starter security officer pay at around £20,000 a year, rising to £35,000 with experience. Most front-line roles need an SIA licence, which costs £204 and lasts 3 years. Below you'll see what the job is really like, and the next page shows exactly what you need to qualify.

Pick the kind of security work you're after, and we'll show you the requirements next.

Which security job suits you?

🏢 Office or site guarding See requirements → 🍻 Door supervisor See requirements → 📹 CCTV control room See requirements → 🛍️ Retail or events See requirements →

🛡️ What a security officer actually does

Security officers protect buildings, property and people. You might work in an office block, a shopping centre, a hospital, a building site, a warehouse or at events.

The National Careers Service lists tasks like these:

• Patrolling premises and checking doors, windows and entrances are secure
• Monitoring CCTV and responding to alarms
• Checking staff and visitors in and out of buildings
• Operating scanning equipment, for example at airports
• Protecting important sites such as hospitals and power stations

Much of the job is about being visible, alert and calm. You'll also write reports, follow site instructions and call the police or emergency services when needed.

📋 The SIA licence: which one do you need?

In the UK, most front-line security work under a contract needs a licence from the Security Industry Authority (SIA). Working without one when you need it may be against the law. The three most common licences are:

Because a door supervisor licence also covers security guarding, many people choose it to keep more job options open. CCTV is a separate licence.

Want to know which training you'd need and how long it takes? It only takes a minute to check.

💰 How much security officers are paid (2026)

Pay depends on the site, the employer, your licence and your shift pattern. Here are the official figures we could confirm.

Remember that the National Living Wage is the legal minimum for workers aged 21 and over, so no job should pay less than £12.71 an hour from April 2026.

Every job advert shows its own rate, so compare a few before you apply. Long weekly hours are common in security, which is part of why annual salaries can be higher than the hourly rate suggests.

🕒 Shifts and working hours

The National Careers Service lists typical hours of 37 to 48 a week, on shifts that include evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

• Day shifts: reception and front-of-house security in offices
• Evening and weekend shifts: door supervision at pubs, clubs and events
• Overnight cover: some sites need officers through the night
• Event work: shorter, flexible shifts at concerts, matches and festivals

Next up: the training course, the licence fee and the checks the SIA runs before you can start.

🏢 Who hires security officers

Many security officers work for private security companies that supply staff to other businesses. Large UK firms include Mitie, Securitas UK and Corps Security, which all advertise roles on their own careers pages. Openings change all the time, so check what's listed near you.

Some businesses also employ their own in-house security staff. GOV.UK explains that in-house staff usually don't need an SIA licence, except door supervisors at licensed premises. Even so, many in-house adverts still ask for one.

⭐ Why people choose security work

Security can be a quick way into steady work, especially if you're changing careers. Here's why many people pick it:

• Short training: the approved courses take days, not months
• A licence that's yours: your SIA licence lasts 3 years and you can use it with different employers
• Lots of settings: offices, shops, hospitals, events, building sites, warehouses and more
• Room to grow: you can add licences, such as CCTV, or move into supervising

It does have downsides. Shifts can be long, some sites are quiet for hours, and door work can mean dealing with difficult customers late at night.

🙋 Who this job suits

Security work can be a good fit if any of these sound like you:

• You're calm under pressure and good at talking to people
• You're reliable and happy to follow procedures
• You don't mind standing or patrolling for long periods
• You want work with evening, weekend or long-shift patterns

With experience, the National Careers Service says you could move up to supervisor or chief security officer, and later into security management.

Curious whether you'd pass the checks? The requirements page lays them out in plain English.

✅ What to expect next

Most people follow the same path: complete a first aid course and an approved training course, apply to the SIA for your licence, then apply for jobs. Some employers that are SIA approved contractors can apply and pay for your licence for you.

On the next page: the age rule, the ID documents the SIA asks for, the training hours for each licence, the £204 fee and the mistakes that get applications rejected.

🔥 Other jobs hiring now

Security isn't the only option with shift work and steady demand. These UK jobs are worth a look too.

Disclaimer: This is an independent information website. We are not the Security Industry Authority (SIA), a security company or any employer, we do not hire anyone and we do not collect job applications. Pay, fees, training and licensing rules change, so always check the details on GOV.UK and the official employer's website before you apply. Never pay anyone to get a job.