How Much Do Security Guards Cost in the UK? (2026 Price Guide)

In 2026, professional security guards in the UK typically cost between £18 and £30 per hour for static manned guarding, with mobile patrols, door supervision and specialist cover priced differently. The exact figure depends on the type of cover, the hours, the risk level and how the provider is run — and, as we will explain, the cheapest quote is rarely the best value.

Below is a clear breakdown of what UK businesses actually pay for security in 2026, what sits behind that hourly rate, and how to get a quote you can rely on.

How much do security guards cost in the UK?

Security is almost always charged as an hourly rate per officer. As an indicative guide for 2026:

Service	Typical 2026 rate	Charged as
Static manned guarding	£18–£28 / hour	Per officer, per hour
Door supervision	£20–£35 / hour	Per officer, per hour
Mobile patrols	£12–£25 / visit	Per visit or route
Key holding & alarm response	From £15 / month + call-out	Retainer + per response

These are typical ranges, not fixed prices. A single overnight guard on a low-risk site sits at the bottom of the range; short-notice, high-risk or highly trained cover sits at the top. For how the services differ and which one your site needs, see our guide to manned guarding vs mobile patrols vs door supervision.

What is actually included in the hourly rate

It is tempting to compare a security quote to the guard’s wage, but the hourly charge rate covers far more than pay. A compliant provider funds all of the following out of that number:

• Officer wages — at least the National Living Wage (£12.71/hour for workers aged 21+ from April 2026), usually more for licensed or experienced officers.
• Employer National Insurance and pension contributions.
• Holiday pay — statutory paid leave covered for every hour worked.
• SIA licensing, training and vetting — every front-line officer must hold a valid Security Industry Authority licence.
• Uniform, equipment and insurance — including public and employer liability cover.
• Supervision, scheduling and management — the back-office that keeps cover reliable.
• A reasonable margin so the company stays solvent and can replace a guard who calls in sick.

Once you add those up, an £18+ rate makes sense — and a rate implying the guard is paid below minimum wage should set off alarm bells.

What affects the price

• Hours and shift pattern — overnight, weekend and bank-holiday cover usually costs more.
• Risk level — high-risk sites or those needing conflict-management skills command higher rates.
• SIA licence type — door supervision and close protection are priced above basic guarding.
• Contract length — ongoing contracts are cheaper per hour than short-term or one-off cover.
• Location and travel — remote sites add cost.
• Number of officers — larger deployments can attract better per-officer rates.

Cost by type of security service

Static manned guarding

A guard physically stationed at your site — reception, gatehouse, construction site or retail floor. The most common service, typically £18–£28/hour depending on hours and risk.

Mobile patrols

An officer who visits one or more sites on a schedule rather than staying put. Priced per visit or route, making it cost-effective for premises that do not need a permanent presence.

Door supervision

SIA door-supervisor-licensed officers for venues, events and licensed premises. Higher rates reflect the additional training and conflict-management responsibility.

Key holding & alarm response

You hand over the risk of responding to out-of-hours alarms — usually a small monthly retainer plus a charge per call-out, far cheaper than a permanent guard for low-traffic sites.

Why the cheapest quote is usually a red flag

If a provider quotes well below £18/hour for manned guarding, do the maths. After the National Living Wage, employer NI, holiday pay and insurance, there is very little — sometimes nothing — left to cover training, management and a fair margin. Rock-bottom rates often mean unlicensed officers, no real vetting, no cover when a guard is off sick, or a business that will not be around to honour the contract. In security, an unusually cheap quote is a warning, not a win.

How to get an accurate security quote

To get a quote you can compare fairly, give providers the site type and area, the hours and days you need covered, whether you need static guarding, patrols, door supervision or a mix, any specific risks, and whether it is ongoing or short-term cover. Then compare like for like — and check each provider’s SIA compliance, insurance and references before price. Our guide on how to choose the right security company walks through exactly what to look for.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a security guard cost per day?

For a standard 12-hour shift at typical 2026 rates, expect roughly £220–£340 per officer per day for static guarding, depending on hours, risk and location.

Do SIA-licensed guards cost more?

All front-line UK security officers must be SIA-licensed by law, so licensing is not an optional extra — it is built into any legitimate quote. Specialist licences cost more.

Is it cheaper to hire a guard directly?

Employing your own officer can look cheaper per hour, but you take on recruitment, vetting, SIA compliance, payroll, holiday cover and liability. For most businesses, a managed provider works out cheaper and far lower-risk once those obligations are factored in.