What's on a Security Guard's Payslip?
Basic Pay
Your contracted hourly rate multiplied by hours worked. For SIA-licensed door supervisors, the average in 2026 is £13.65/hr nationally. London rates average £17–£22/hr. Static security guards may be at or just above the NMW (£12.71/hr).
Night / Unsocial Hours Differential
Many security contracts pay a premium for working nights. This is typically 15–25% above your base rate for hours worked between 22:00 and 06:00. Some ACS (Approved Contractor Scheme) companies pay a fixed night allowance instead (e.g., £1.50/hr extra). Either way, it is fully taxable and subject to NI, and should appear as a separate line on your payslip.
Site Allowance
Some contracts include a site-specific allowance — an additional flat payment per shift for working at higher-risk or remote locations. This is typically taxable as earnings unless your employer has a specific HMRC exemption in place.
Uniform Deduction
If your employer provides a uniform on a "loan" basis and deducts the cost from your pay, this should be shown as a separate deduction. Importantly, it cannot reduce your hourly rate below the National Minimum Wage. If you're on £12.71/hr and any deduction takes you below that threshold for the week, your employer is in breach of NMW law.
The Uniform Tax Rebate — £140/year for Security
HMRC publishes industry-specific flat rate expense allowances. For security officers and door supervisors, the allowance is £140 per year — the cost HMRC recognises for maintaining and washing your work uniform. A basic-rate taxpayer gets back £28/year (20% × £140). You can claim the last 4 years for free at gov.uk — up to £140 in total rebates.
Zero-Hours and Security Guards
Many security guards work on zero-hours or flexible-hours contracts, particularly in agency or event security. Under the Employment Rights Act 2025 changes coming into force from 2026/27, workers on zero-hours contracts who have worked a regular pattern for 12 weeks can request a guaranteed-hours contract. Our Guaranteed Hours Calculator can help you assess your eligibility.
SIA Licence Tax Relief — Full Details
The SIA (Security Industry Authority) licence is mandatory for all door supervisors, security guards, CCTV operators and close protection officers working in the UK private security industry. The fee from 1 April 2026 is £204 per licence.
HMRC confirms under EIM (Employment Income Manual) reference NIM06175 that tax relief is provided for SIA licence fees under ITEPA 2003 s343, as the SIA is included in the approved subscriptions list. The relief reduces your income tax bill — not your NI — by 20% or 40% of the fee depending on your tax rate.
Claim free at: gov.uk P87 form. Select "Other professional fees or subscriptions" and enter the SIA fee. HMRC typically adjusts your tax code within 4–6 weeks, increasing your monthly take-home.