How much does a security guard cost in the UK? (2026 price guide)

Short answer: in 2026 most UK businesses pay from around £16.95 per hour (plus VAT) for a static SIA-licensed security guard outside London, and roughly £21 to £28 per hour in London. Specialist roles such as security dog handlers cost more, while non-licensed event stewards cost less. Nights, weekends and bank holidays usually add an uplift, and the final price depends on your hours, your site and how long the contract runs.

This guide explains where those numbers come from, what is built into an hourly rate, and how to check whether a quote is realistic. It is written for facilities managers, site managers and business owners who want to budget before asking for quotes.

Typical security guard rates in the UK (2026)

The table below shows typical hourly charge rates for day shifts on a regular contract. They exclude VAT. They are market ranges, not a fixed price list, and are based on the 2026 wage floor and the normal costs of employing licensed staff (explained further down).

Not sure whether you need a front desk officer or a guard? Our guide to concierge security vs security guard explains the difference.

Some services are not priced by the hour:

• Mobile patrols: usually £25 to £30 per visit on a contract, more for one-off visits.
• Keyholding: often £20 to £50 per site per month.
• Alarm response: commonly £40 to £90 per attendance, usually including the first hour on site.

What is included in an hourly rate?

A security company does not keep the whole hourly rate. Most of it goes on the cost of employing a licensed officer legally. From 1 April 2026 the National Living Wage is £12.71 per hour for workers aged 21 and over. On top of that wage, every employer has to pay:

The rest of the rate has to cover:

• The SIA licence (£204 per application from April 2026, renewed every three years), training and refresher courses.
• Pre-employment screening and vetting.
• Uniform, radios, body cameras or other kit.
• Public liability and employer’s liability insurance.
• Supervisors, site visits, scheduling and out-of-hours support.
• Payroll, invoicing and cover for sickness and holidays.
• A modest profit so the company can keep trading.

That is why a static guard at the legal minimum wage rarely costs less than about £17 per hour once everything is paid for. If the company pays the real Living Wage (£13.45 an hour, or £14.80 in London for 2025/26), the employment cost rises to roughly £17.40 per hour, or £19.20 in London, before overheads.

What makes security more or less expensive?

Location

London and parts of the South East cost more because pay is higher and many clients ask for the London Living Wage. Elsewhere in England, and in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, rates are closer together because they are set by the same national wage floor.

Shift times, weekends and bank holidays

Night shifts often carry a small uplift, commonly £1 to £2 per hour. Weekend work may be priced higher on some contracts. Bank holidays are usually charged at time and a half or double time, and Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day are often double time.

Type of role and licence

Different jobs need different SIA licences and training. Dog handlers cost more because the company also pays for the dog, its kennelling, feeding, vet care and training. Our security dog hire cost guide breaks down dog team rates in more detail. Stewards at events usually do not need an SIA licence, so they cost less.

Hours, notice and contract length

• Minimum shifts: most companies set a minimum booking, often 4 to 8 hours, because the officer still has to travel to site.
• Short notice: cover booked with less than 24 hours’ notice can cost more.
• Long contracts: a 12-month contract for regular hours is normally cheaper per hour than ad hoc bookings.

Risk and site requirements

Sites with a higher risk of theft or violence, sites that need specialist training (for example first aid or fire marshal training), or sites that need extra reporting may cost more per hour.

Worked examples

These examples use typical rates from the table above and exclude VAT. Monthly figures are based on 52 weeks divided by 12 months.

For a one-off event, 10 stewards working an 8-hour day at £16 per hour would cost about £1,280. A single 12-hour bank holiday shift at a £20 base rate would cost £360 at time and a half, or £480 at double time.

Note that 24/7 cover for one position needs a team of about four or five officers on rotation, so it is priced as a managed service rather than a single person.

Do I have to pay VAT on security services?

Yes, if the security company is VAT-registered, VAT at 20% is added to the hourly rate. For example, £20 per hour becomes £24 per hour including VAT. Most VAT-registered businesses can reclaim this VAT, so always check whether a quote is shown with or without VAT when you compare prices.

Why a very cheap quote is a warning sign

If a static guard is quoted well below about £17 per hour outside London, ask how the company can pay the minimum wage, holiday pay, National Insurance, pension and licensing and still stay in business. Very low rates can point to:

• Officers being paid below the legal minimum, or treated as “self-employed” to avoid employment costs.
• Staff without a valid SIA licence for the role, which is a criminal offence for the worker and can create legal risk for the client. See how to check a security company’s SIA licences.
• Missing insurance, no supervision and nobody to cover sickness.

You can check any officer’s licence on the SIA’s public register of licence holders.

How to keep security costs under control

• Match the hours to the risk. Many sites only need cover outside working hours, not 24/7.
• Combine duties. One gatehouse officer can manage vehicle checks, visitor sign-in and deliveries.
• Use dogs on large, open sites. A dog team can cover more ground and act as a strong visible deterrent.
• Agree a longer contract. Regular, planned hours are cheaper than repeated short-notice bookings.
• Review the site regularly. Security needs change when a building is occupied, empty or under construction.

What should a security quote include?

• The hourly rate for each shift type (day, night, weekend and bank holiday).
• Whether VAT is included.
• Minimum shift length, notice period and cancellation terms.
• The SIA licence type the officers hold.
• Insurance cover and accreditations (for example ISO 9001, BS 7499 or CHAS).
• Supervision, reporting and how incidents are escalated.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a security guard cost per hour in the UK?

In 2026 a static SIA-licensed security guard typically costs from around £16.95 per hour outside London and £21 to £28 per hour in London, excluding VAT. Specialist roles such as dog handlers cost more.

How much does a security guard cost per day?

For a 12-hour shift, expect from around £203 outside London and £252 to £336 in London, excluding VAT, before any night or bank holiday uplift.

How much does 24/7 security cost per month?

One guard position covered around the clock is 168 hours a week. At £16.95 per hour that is about £12,340 a month outside London; at £24 per hour in London it is about £17,470, excluding VAT.

Is it cheaper to employ my own security staff?

Sometimes, for large permanent teams. But you then pay for recruitment, licensing, training, uniforms, holiday and sickness cover, supervision and insurance yourself, and you carry the legal responsibility. Most businesses find a contract with a licensed security company simpler and more predictable.

Why are bank holidays more expensive?

Officers are usually paid more to work bank holidays, so companies charge time and a half or double time for those shifts.

What is the minimum booking for a security guard?

Most companies set a minimum shift of 4 to 8 hours. Very short bookings often cost more per hour because of travel and planning time.

Get a quote from FCS Group

First Class Services Group has provided security and staffing across the UK since 2016. All our security guards are fully SIA licensed and trained. We provide manned guarding, construction site security, security dog handlers, gatehouse officers, office and building security, fire marshals and event stewards, including security in London.

Every site is different, so we price each job after understanding your hours and risks. Request a free quote or call +44 20 7183 5811.

Sources

• GOV.UK: National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates
• GOV.UK: Apply for an SIA licence (fees)
• Living Wage Foundation: what is the real Living Wage
• The Pensions Regulator: automatic enrolment earnings thresholds

Prices in this guide are typical UK market ranges for 2026, worked out from current wage and employment costs. They are for budgeting only and are not a quote. Last updated: September 2026.