Security Officer
Also advertised as: CCTV Operator, Control Room Operator, Corporate Security Officer, Door Supervisor, Retail Security Officer, Security Guard
Protects people and property through patrols, monitoring and incident response.
What the job involves
Security officers deter and respond to problems on site. You patrol, monitor CCTV and access, handle incidents, write reports and support emergency procedures. An SIA licence is required and is quick to obtain.
Typical responsibilities
- Patrol premises and monitor access
- Watch CCTV and alarm systems
- Respond to incidents and emergencies
- Write incident and shift reports
- Support fire and evacuation procedures
Common employers
- Security contractors
- Shopping centres
- Hospitals
- Corporate sites
- Event venues
Pay, hours and working environment
Typical pay
£22,000 – £26,000 a year
With experience
£27,000 – £34,000 a year
Typical hours
12-hour shifts including nights and weekends
Working environment
Site patrols and control rooms
Remote working
on_site
Demand for this work
high
Pay ranges are indicative guidance drawn from advertised UK vacancies and published careers information. They are not an offer, and actual pay varies by employer, location and experience.
Skills and qualifications
Core skills
- Observation
- Conflict management
- Report writing
- Emergency procedures
- Customer service
Transferable skills you may already have
- Shift working
- Handling confrontation
- Attention to detail
Requirements employers ask for
- Observation
- Conflict management
- Report writing
- Emergency procedures
- Customer service
- SIA licence
- SIA licence
Useful but not essential
- Shift working
- Handling confrontation
- Attention to detail
- CCTV operator licence
- First aid at work
- Level 3 Security First Line Manager
Helpful qualifications
- CCTV operator licence
- First aid at work
- Level 3 Security First Line Manager
Licences and checks
- SIA licence
Ways into this career
A degree is only one route. Where an apprenticeship, work-experience or qualification route exists, it is listed here alongside the academic option.
Apprenticeships and work-based routes
- Security First Line Manager (Level 3)
Degree and college routes
- Related subject: Any
Where this career can lead
next
Security Supervisor
next
Security Manager
next
Control Room Manager
The good parts and the hard parts
What people enjoy
- Quick licence route into work
- Plenty of overtime available
- Route into control room and management roles
What people find hard
- Long night shifts
- Risk of confrontation
Common questions
- Do you need a degree to become a security officer?
- No. As well as degree routes, this career can be entered through an apprenticeship or by building experience and qualifications on the job. not_required
- How much does a security officer earn in the UK?
- Typical advertised pay runs from £22,000 to £26,000 a year, rising towards £34,000 with experience. Figures are indicative guidance rather than an offer.
- What skills transfer into this career?
- Skills that transfer well include Shift working, Handling confrontation, Attention to detail.
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Where this information comes from
- National Careers Service
- Institute for Apprenticeships
Last reviewed 14 September 2026.
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