Police officers (sergeant and below) vs Security guards and related occupations Salary

How do Police officers (sergeant and below) and Security guards and related occupations salaries compare in the UK? Here is a detailed side-by-side breakdown using the latest ONS data.

Police officers (sergeant and below) earns £16,896 more per year (53% higher)

Police officers (sergeant and below)

£48,621
per year (gross)
Take-home: £38,527
vs

Security guards and related occupations

£31,725
per year (gross)
Take-home: £26,362

Detailed Comparison

MetricPolice officers (sergeant and below)Security guards and related occupationsDifference
Median Annual£48,621£31,725+£16,896
Mean Annual£48,668£30,249+£18,419
Take-Home (Net)£38,527£26,362+£12,165
Monthly (Gross)£4,052£2,644+£1,408
Weekly (Gross)£935£610+£325
Hourly£23.38£15.25+£8.13

Salary Range Comparison

PercentilePolice officers (sergeant and below)Security guards and related occupations
10th (Entry)£32,899£9,053
25th£37,006£23,810
50th (Median)£48,621£31,725
75th£55,452£38,676
90th (Senior)£65,893£45,057

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more, a Police officers (sergeant and below) or a Security guards and related occupations?
A Police officers (sergeant and below) earns more. The median salary for a Police officers (sergeant and below) is £48,621, whilst a Security guards and related occupations earns £31,725 — a difference of £16,896 per year.
What is the salary difference between a Police officers (sergeant and below) and a Security guards and related occupations?
The difference is £16,896 per year. Police officers (sergeant and below) is the higher-paid role.
What is the take-home pay difference?
After tax and National Insurance, a Police officers (sergeant and below) takes home approximately £38,527 per year, whilst a Security guards and related occupations takes home £26,362. The net difference is £12,165.
Should I become a Police officers (sergeant and below) or a Security guards and related occupations?
From a salary perspective, Police officers (sergeant and below) offers higher median pay. However, career choice depends on many factors including interests, qualifications, work-life balance and long-term prospects.

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