Static guarding is single-site security — corporate reception, industrial estate gatehouse, construction site compound, hospital, retail loss prevention. The guard stays at one location for the duration of the contract or shift rather than moving between sites.
The SIA Security Guard (SG) or Door Supervisor (DS) licence is the entry ticket. Shift patterns are long: 12-hour days, 12-hour nights, often four-on-four-off or two-days-two-nights-four-off. Most sites pay between £11 and £13 an hour outside the M25 and £13-£15 inside it. Corporate reception roles in central London (Mayfair, Canary Wharf, the City) pay £14-£18 because the dress code is concierge-style and the security skill is overlaid on hospitality.
Static is where most new SIA licence holders start because the training-to-deployment loop is short and the work is plentiful. Common upgrades from there: get a CCTV licence and move into a control room; pick up a first-aid certificate (often the difference between £11 and £12 an hour); or learn the customer-service side and move into corporate concierge, which pays better than guarding but isn't reliably classed as security work. One thing to watch: contracts that bundle "key holder" duties at no extra pay — emergency call-outs at 3am are not free overtime.
Static Guard Jobs
Operations Manager
Security Officer
Security Officer
Static Security Officer
Business Development Manager
Key Account Manager
Frequently asked questions
What shift patterns do static guards work?
Twelve-hour days, twelve-hour nights, often arranged as four-on-four-off or two days / two nights / four off. Some corporate reception roles run shorter day shifts of 8-10 hours.
What's the difference between a static guard and a mobile officer?
A static guard stays at one location for the duration of a shift or contract — corporate reception, industrial gate, construction compound. Mobile officers drive between client sites overnight, doing locks-and-lights patrols or alarm responses. Mobile usually pays a small premium because of the lone-working factor.
How much do static guards earn?
£11-£13 an hour outside the M25 and £13-£15 inside it. Corporate reception roles in Mayfair, Canary Wharf and the City of London pay £14-£18 because the role overlays hospitality skill on the security work.