Indicative hourly guarding rates
Every figure on this page is an indicative UK market range from the published sources listed at the foot of the page, not a quotation. Your own price depends on floor area, service mix, hours of cover and asset condition.
| Deployment | Indicative hourly rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General guarding | £15 – £25[1] | SIA-licensed officer, standard hours |
| Retail security | £15 – £18[1] | Store-based, footfall dependent |
| Office and concierge | £18 – £22[1] | Front-of-house duties alongside security |
| Construction and industrial | £20 – £25[1] | Plant and material protection, lone working |
| 24/7 single-post cover | £15,000 – £30,000 per month[1] | A 24/7 post needs 4–5 officers on rota |
A round-the-clock post is the figure that surprises most buyers. One officer on site at all times is not one salary — it is a rota of four to five people once rest breaks, holiday and sickness cover are funded, which is why 24/7 cover moves a budget by an order of magnitude.
Licensing and compliance built into the rate
Every security officer working in the UK must hold a Security Industry Authority licence under the Private Security Industry Act 2001 unless a specific exemption applies. Licence fees, vetting to BS 7858, uniform, supervision and control-room support all sit inside the hourly rate you are quoted.
£10.1 billion
Forecast UK private security services industry revenue for 2026-27, per IBISWorld as cited by Priority First.[2]
15,520 offences
Robbery of business property in England and Wales in the year ending March 2026, a 50% rise, according to the Office for National Statistics.[2]
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard cost per hour in the UK?
Indicatively £15–£25 an hour for an SIA-licensed officer, with retail at the lower end and construction or industrial sites at the higher end (H&D Security, 2026).
Why is 24/7 security so much more expensive?
A permanently manned post requires a rota of four to five officers once breaks, holiday and sickness cover are funded, so monthly cost can reach £15,000–£30,000 for a single post.
Do all UK security staff need an SIA licence?
Yes, unless a specific statutory exemption applies. Licensing, vetting and supervision are part of the charge-out rate.
Sources
- [1] H&D Security, 2026. How much does business security cost in the UK
- [2] Priority First, 2026. Office security services UK: costs and guide