About this data: Salary figures are compiled from Indeed UK, Glassdoor and the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings. Rates reflect advertised and reported earnings for SIA-licensed roles. As verified job postings grow on UKSecurityJobs, this guide will be updated with live market data from real employer postings.
Salary by Licence Type
Regional Pay Rates
Location significantly affects security pay. London commands the highest rates due to cost of living and client concentration. Rates below are for experienced door supervisors as a benchmark.
| Region | Avg Hourly (DS) | Avg Hourly (SG) | vs National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greater London | £15.00–£20.00 | £14.00–£18.00 | +25–40% |
| South East | £14.00–£17.00 | £13.00–£16.00 | +10–20% |
| East of England | £13.00–£16.00 | £12.00–£15.00 | +5–10% |
| West Midlands | £13.00–£15.50 | £12.00–£14.50 | National avg |
| North West | £13.00–£15.50 | £12.00–£14.50 | National avg |
| Yorkshire | £12.50–£15.00 | £11.75–£14.00 | -5% |
| North East | £12.00–£14.50 | £11.50–£13.50 | -5 to -10% |
| Scotland | £13.00–£16.00 | £12.00–£15.00 | +5% |
| Wales | £12.00–£14.50 | £11.50–£13.50 | -5 to -10% |
Pay by Experience Level — Door Supervisor
Shift Premiums and Enhancements
Base rates are only part of the picture. Most security roles carry additional premiums that can significantly increase take-home pay:
| Enhancement | Typical Premium | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Night shift | +10–25% | Typically 10pm–6am |
| Weekend rate | +£1–3/hr | Saturday and Sunday |
| Bank holiday | +25–50% | Varies by employer |
| Event / festival | +£2–5/hr | Concerts, sporting events |
| High-profile venue | +£2–4/hr | Corporate, luxury hospitality |
| Security clearance | +£2–6/hr | Government, defence, CNI roles |
| SIA trainer qualification | +£3–8/hr | When delivering training |
How to Increase Your Earnings
Hold multiple SIA licences. The most direct way to increase your earning potential is to hold more than one licence. A Door Supervisor who also holds a CCTV Operator licence can fill a wider range of roles — and employers often pay a premium for dual-licensed officers. Adding a Close Protection qualification opens the highest-paid roles in the industry.
Beyond additional licences, the factors that consistently command higher rates are:
- A clean, complete 5-year BS7858-verifiable employment record — employers pay more for candidates who reduce their compliance risk
- First aid qualifications at FREC 3 or 4 level — valued across all security sectors
- Security clearance (SC or DV) — the UKSV applicant hub has full guidance
- Language skills — Arabic, Mandarin, French and Spanish are particularly valuable in corporate and close protection work
- Experience in specialist sectors — corporate, healthcare, critical national infrastructure and events all pay above standard rates
On UKSecurityJobs your vettability score reflects the completeness of your profile — a high score signals to employers that you are BS7858-ready and reduces their compliance risk. Register and build your profile →
Find Jobs by Location
Rates vary significantly by location. Browse verified security vacancies in your area:
Sources and Methodology
Salary figures are based on data published by Indeed UK (updated October 2025), Glassdoor UK, the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (2024), and advertised roles on major UK job boards. Figures represent typical advertised and reported rates rather than guaranteed earnings. Individual pay varies based on employer, location, experience, contract type and sector. As verified employer job postings grow on UKSecurityJobs, this guide will be updated with live market rate data. Last updated: April 2026.