Postal workers, mail sorters and messengers Salary
Median salary £29,761 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.
Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £30,000 after tax and National Insurance →
For postal workers, mail sorters and messengers, £31,677 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -19% versus the national average. Experienced postal workers, mail sorters and messengers (top 25%) earn over £34,771.
About this role
Security guards and related occupations protect premises, assets and people by maintaining security presence, monitoring CCTV, controlling access and responding to incidents. They work across commercial, retail, event and residential settings.
Key responsibilities
- Patrolling and monitoring premises for security threats
- Operating CCTV and access control systems
- Controlling entry and checking identification
- Responding to alarms and security incidents
- Writing incident reports and maintaining logs
Qualifications and entry routes
SIA (Security Industry Authority) licence is legally required for most security roles. Requires completion of an SIA-approved training course. Door supervisors, CCTV operators and close protection officers need specific SIA licences. Enhanced DBS check.
Career outlook
Steady demand. Increasing use of technology (AI-CCTV, drone surveillance) is changing the security officer role towards monitoring and technology management.
Key skills
Common industries
- Security companies
- Retail
- Corporate offices
- Events and venues
- Construction site security
Data coverage
Salary Range (2025)
Estimated Career Progression
Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation
Entry Level
£17,256
0-2 years
Mid Level
£24,601
3-7 years
Senior
£34,771
8-15 years
Leadership
£40,203
15+ years
Potential career growth: ▲ +133% from entry to leadership
Salary Trend (2015-2025)
Gender Pay Comparison (2025)
Gender pay gap: 8.4%
Full-time vs All Employees (2025)
Full-time premium: +£1,916
Postal workers, mail sorters and messengers salary: common questions
How much do postal workers, mail sorters and messengers earn in the UK?
Is £31,677 a good salary in the UK?
What is the starting salary for postal workers, mail sorters and messengers?
How much do the highest-paid postal workers, mail sorters and messengers earn?
Have postal workers, mail sorters and messengers salaries kept up with inflation?
Is there a gender pay gap for postal workers, mail sorters and messengers?
Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).