Security guards and related occupations

£28,679

Average salary

Average annual salary UK 2020 | Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings

43 hours

Average weekly hours

Average weekly hours UK 2019 | Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings

4.82%

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate UK 2020 | Labour Force Survey

Definition: Security guards and related occupations

*SOC Code (Standard Occupational Classification): 9241

Workers in this unit group protect merchandise, individuals, hotels, offices, factories, public grounds and private estates from injury, theft or damage, and investigate fraud and crime on a non-statutory basis.

Common tasks include:

investigates crimes, trading practices and the private affairs of individuals;
walks or rides near person requiring protection, watches for suspicious occurrences and defends guarded person from attack;
monitors and patrols hotels, factories, offices and other premises, forests, parks, and public or private estates to prevent theft and unauthorised entry;
checks persons and vehicles entering and leaving premises, establishes their credentials and arranges for escorts for visitors;
receives duty sheet, time-clock and keys for premises to be visited, checks locks, doors, windows, etc. and reports any suspicious circumstances to security headquarters;
calls in civil police and gives evidence in court where necessary.

Qualifications

There are no formal academic entry requirements. For some vacancies a current and clean driving licence is required and entrants may have to pass a medical examination. Training is typically provided on-the-job. NVQs/SVQs covering various aspects of security guarding are available at Level 2.

*Introduced in 1990, SOC is a multi-purpose common classification of occupations in UK. Jobs are defined in terms of skill level and skill content, including qualifications, training and work experience.

Employment status: Security guards and related occupations

Regional employment: Security guards and related occupations

Future employment: Security guards and related occupations

Top 12 industries: Security guards and related occupations

Alternative & related job titles: Security guards and related occupations

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Equality focus: Security guards and related occupations

Breaking down the official government big data sources by gender, age and region. Hours and pay data based on full time equlivalent roles.