Security guards and related occupations Salary
Median salary £30,819 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.
Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £31,000 after tax and National Insurance →
For security guards and related occupations, £33,832 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -13% versus the national average. Experienced security guards and related occupations (top 25%) earn over £37,905.
About this role
Window cleaners clean the exterior and interior windows of residential, commercial and high-rise buildings. They use traditional methods (ladders, squeegees) and water-fed pole systems, working at height on buildings of all sizes.
Key responsibilities
- Cleaning windows on residential and commercial buildings
- Operating water-fed pole and reach-and-wash systems
- Working from ladders, cradles and rope access equipment
- Maintaining equipment and managing cleaning solutions
- Managing customer relationships and scheduling rounds
Qualifications and entry routes
No formal qualifications required. Working at height training and IPAF (for elevated platforms) or IRATA (for rope access) certifications for high-rise work. Many are self-employed.
Career outlook
Self-employment opportunities with relatively low barriers to entry. Rope access and high-rise specialists command higher earnings.
Key skills
Common industries
- Domestic window cleaning
- Commercial cleaning
- High-rise building maintenance
- Facilities management
- Self-employed services
Data coverage
Salary Range (2025)
Estimated Career Progression
Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation
Entry Level
£11,482
0-2 years
Mid Level
£23,211
3-7 years
Senior
£37,905
8-15 years
Leadership
£43,472
15+ years
Potential career growth: ▲ +279% from entry to leadership
Salary Trend (2015-2025)
Gender Pay Comparison (2025)
Gender pay gap: 2.5%
Full-time vs All Employees (2025)
Full-time premium: +£3,013
Security guards and related occupations salary: common questions
How much do security guards and related occupations earn in the UK?
Is £33,832 a good salary in the UK?
What is the starting salary for security guards and related occupations?
How much do the highest-paid security guards and related occupations earn?
Have security guards and related occupations salaries kept up with inflation?
Is there a gender pay gap for security guards and related occupations?
Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).