A security officer is an SIA-licensed guard who controls access, monitors premises, and responds to incidents on behalf of the site operator. It's the entry point to the industry and accounts for the bulk of vacancies on this site.

Most posts are static — corporate reception, industrial estate gatehouse, construction compound, hospital — or mobile, driving a marked patrol vehicle between client sites overnight. The static-versus-mobile split usually decides the hourly rate: mobile pays a quid or two more because of the lone-working premium. London and the M25 belt are higher again, often £14-£16; outside the South East, £11-£13 is the norm.

The SIA Security Guard or Door Supervisor licence is the entry ticket. The Security Guard licence covers manned guarding only. The Door Supervisor licence covers both manned guarding and licensed-premises work, so most officers get the DS first to keep their options open. Training is 5-6 days through a Get Licensed-approved provider, plus a DBS check, plus the SIA fee (£190 at time of writing). Some employers refund the licence cost after probation. Career progression typically runs officer → supervisor → site manager → operations or contracts manager.

Security Officer Jobs

Head of IT

Portsmouth
£80,000 per annum
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 22-08-2026
Infrastructure and security. Accountable for the IT and telecommunications estate, hardware and software. Implementing and maintaining an effective information security framework, including threat assessment and periodic external evaluation. Owning securi... Read more
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Day Security Officer

London
£31,820 per annum
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 22-08-2026
Campus Experience and Security Officer (Days. Salary range: £31,820. Location: Bloomsbury, Central London WC1E. Shift pattern: This is a 35-hour per week contract. 5 shifts across 7 days, including weekends. The shift pattern operates between 07:00 and 23... Read more
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CCTV Security Control Room Operator

W1J, Piccadilly Circus
£40,000 per annum
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 22-08-2026
CCTV Security Control Room Operator. Shift pattern: 3 days (0700-1900), 3 nights (1900-0700), 3 off. Location: Central London. Nearest tube: Piccadilly Circus. Salary: £40,000 (£13.73 per hour. Do you hold a SIA CCTV license? Would you like to work at a b... Read more
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Security Operative

City Of London
£40,000 per annum
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 21-08-2026
Our client, a group of companies, is seeking to recruit an additional Security Officer to join their new and evolving in-house security team. This is an exciting and unique opportunity for a candidate looking to grow and evolve their security career, lear... Read more
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Operations Business Support Coordinator

Royston
£28,000 per annum
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 21-08-2026
Operations Support & Compliance Officer. Location: Near Royston, Hertfordshire. Salary: £28,000 to £30,000 per annum, depending on experience. Hours: 25 to 30 hours per week, with full-time applications also considered. Contract: Permanent. Working patter... Read more
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ICT Officer - 1st Line Support

Edinburgh
£15 per hour
Job Type: Temporary
Posted: 21-08-2026
A well-established charitable organisation is seeking an ICT Support Officer to join their team. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced IT professional with strong technical troubleshooting skills and a customer-focused approach to support us... Read more
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Strategic Supply Chain Officer

Preston, Lancashire
£26 per hour
Job Type: Contract
Posted: 21-08-2026
Strategic Supply Chain Officer - 6 month contract - Warton Aerodrome, Lancashire - £34.99 ph UMB or £26.07 ph PAYE (Inside IR35. The Umbrella rate quoted above is the Gross Umbrella rate (i.e. the rate we pay to the Umbrella Company inclusive of ALL emplo... Read more
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Information Security Consultant

Suffolk
£50,000 per annum
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 21-08-2026
Information Security & Assurance Officer. Salary: up to £50,000 + 15% Project Uplift + Company Car/Car Allowance. Location: Suffolk (onsite. REED Technology are recruiting for an Information Security & Assurance Officer to join a major UK infrastructure p... Read more
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Security Officer - Central London

London
£38,000 per annum
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 21-08-2026
Security Officer (247jc) – Central London - £40k + Benefits. Our client is looking to recruit additional Security Officers to join their growing in-house security team in Central London. DUE TO THE NATURE OF THIS RECRUITMENT CONSULTANCY, WE ARE ONLY ABLE ... Read more
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Security officer

Eakring
£14 per hour
Job Type: Contract
Posted: 21-08-2026
Title – Security officer. Pay Rate – £13.67. Location – Eakring. Shift Timings – Full time, Night shifts, must be fully flexible and able to work weekends. We are recruiting a Security Officer to support the safety and security of one of our clients …
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Relief security officer

Newark
£14 per hour
Job Type: Contract
Posted: 21-08-2026
Title – Relief Security officer. Pay Rate – £13.67. Location – Newark and Nottingham. Shift Timings – Must be able to work days and nights when required. What will you get in return. Please note all our roles require transfer to our client on a permanent ... Read more
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Retail Security Officer

Redruth
£16 per hour
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 21-08-2026
Position: Retail Security Officer. Locations: Redruth. Pay Rate: £16.20 per hour (TSS operates on site-based rates. Hours & Shifts: Various. We are recruiting Retail Security Officers to join our teams across Cornwall, with opportunities available across ... Read more
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Elite Retail Security Officer

Milton Keynes
£16 per hour
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 21-08-2026
Elite Retail Security Officer. Location: Milton Keynes. Pay Rate: £16.12 per hour. Hours: Various. Shift Pattern: Various shifts between 8:45am and 7:15pm, across 7 days. SIA SG or DS Licence Essential, Driving licence also essential as this role requires... Read more
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Security Officer Retail Support

Grantham, Lincolnshire
£14 per hour
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 21-08-2026
Security Officer – Retail Security. Location: Grantham. Pay Rate: £13.61 per hour. Shift Pattern: 4 on / 4 off. We are currently recruiting for a professional and reliable Security Officer to join our team in Grantham, providing security services …
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Security Officer - Ipswich

Leiston
£15 per hour
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 21-08-2026
We are currently recruiting for a Security Officer to join the G4S team, working for a well-known site in Ipswich. Contract Information. Pay Rate: £15.03 per hour. Hours: Full-time, 42 hours per week. Shift Pattern: Monday - Sunday, 06:00am - 18:00pm or 0... Read more
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Security Officer

London
£13 per hour
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 21-08-2026
Job Title: Security Officer. Location: London. Salary: We offer a competitive pay range of £13.00 - £15.00 per hour - depending on your experience & client location. Job Type: We offer a range of permanent Full-Time and Part-Time positions. This role invo... Read more
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Retail security officer

Taunton
£14 per hour
Job Type: Contract
Posted: 21-08-2026
Title – Retail security officer. Pay Rate – £13.58. Location – Taunton. Shift Timings – Full time, Must be fully flexible and able to work weekends. You will be working in a well-known retail store, which holds various stock. Officers are responsible for ... Read more
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Retail Security Officer

South London
£14 per hour
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 21-08-2026
TSS are currently recruiting Retail Security Officers in South London, where no two days will be the same and you will have the opportunity to carve out a career with the biggest name in security. Applicants must hold a valid SIA Security/Door Supervisor ... Read more
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Senior Supply Chain & Procurement Business Partner

London
£72,000 per annum
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 20-08-2026
Lead a team of Supply Chain officers, supporting them to be the very best they can be. Embed best-practice processes, systems and governance and drive continuous improvement in how the framework is adopted. Work in partnership with internal teams to ensur... Read more
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Mobile Security Officer

Sutton, Greater London
£15 per hour
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 20-08-2026
Mobile officer St Helier. The candidate must have a full UK drivers License and can drive a manual car. Location: South London / Surrey (Epsom & St Helier) - Must be able to travel to both locations. Salary: £14.80 per hour. Hospital Security can be physi... Read more
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Frequently asked questions

Do I need an SIA licence to be a security officer in the UK?

Yes. You need either the SIA Security Guard licence (manned guarding only) or the SIA Door Supervisor licence (manned guarding plus licensed-premises work). The licence costs £190 and requires a 5-6 day training course and a DBS check.

How much do security officers earn in the UK?

Most static and mobile roles pay £11-£14 an hour outside London. Inside the M25 the rate typically rises to £13-£16. Mobile patrol officers earn a small premium over static guards because of the lone-working factor.

What's the difference between the SIA Security Guard and Door Supervisor licences?

The Security Guard licence covers manned guarding only — sites that aren't licensed premises. The Door Supervisor licence covers both manned guarding AND door work at pubs, bars, clubs and events. The DS is more versatile so most officers get it first.