--- title: "National Living Wage £13.21 from April 2027: Security Officers | SPS Security" url: https://sps-security.com/insights/national-living-wage-april-2027 description: "The National Living Wage rises 3.9% to £13.21 from April 2027. Security officer pay at 42, 48 and 54 hours, FTE annual figures and what it means for guarding contracts." lang: en-GB --- Established in Hull in 1992 — Trusted Security Services Across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire 01482 226570 (+441482226570)24/7 Control Room Image: National Living Wage rising to £13.21 an hour from 1 April 2027, up 50p or 3.9%, with UK £1 coins (https://media.base44.com/images/public/698915a4f050929687a915b6/e6c4bb332_national-living-wage-april-2027-sps-security.webp) Compliance # National Living Wage rises to £13.21 in April 2027: what it means for security officers and security contracts SPS Security team ← Back to Insights (https://sps-security.com/insights)/ National Living Wage rises to £13.21 in April 2027: what it means for security officers and security contracts From 1 April 2027 the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over rises by 50p, or 3.9%, to £13.21 an hour. A security officer working 48 hours a week will earn £24 a week more, about £1,248 a year. Manned guarding is priced mostly on officer hours, so security contract prices will rise from April too. ## The new rates from April 2027 | Rate | Now (April 2026) | From April 2027 | Increase | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | National Living Wage (21 and over) | £12.71 | £13.21 | 50p (3.9%) | | 18 to 20 year olds | £10.85 | £11.27 | 42p (3.9%) | Security officers must be 18 or over to hold an SIA licence, so the 16 to 17 and apprentice rates rarely apply in security. ## What it means for a security officer's pay Examples at the adult rate, before tax, based on 52 paid weeks and no shift premiums. > **Full-time equivalent (FTE):** a security officer on 48 hours a week earns **£32,972.16 a year** from April 2027, up from £31,724.16. On 42 hours it's **£28,850.64**, and on 54 hours **£37,093.68**. | Hours a week | Weekly pay now | Weekly pay from April 2027 | Extra each week | Annual pay now | Annual pay from April 2027 | Extra each year | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | **42 hours (FTE)** | £533.82 | £554.82 | £21.00 | £27,758.64 | **£28,850.64** | £1,092 | | **48 hours (FTE)** | £610.08 | £634.08 | £24.00 | £31,724.16 | **£32,972.16** | £1,248 | | **54 hours (FTE)** | £686.34 | £713.34 | £27.00 | £35,689.68 | **£37,093.68** | £1,404 | Working more than 48 hours a week on average needs the officer's written agreement to opt out of the Working Time Regulations limit. ## What it means for security contracts A 24-hour, 7-day post needs 168 officer hours every week. At the new rate, the minimum pay alone for that post rises by £84 a week, or £4,368 a year, before employer National Insurance, pension, holiday, training, supervision and control room costs. - **Contracts already running:** most pass on National Living Wage rises each April. Check what your contract says, and talk to your security provider early so the change is in your budget. - **New quotes and tenders:** any guarding quote for work after 31 March 2027, or a 12-month contract that runs past that date, should be priced at £13.21 an hour from April. - **Real Living Wage contracts:** the Real Living Wage rises to £14.10 an hour (outside London), which accredited employers must pay by 1 May 2027. The same applies to mobile patrols (https://sps-security.com/services/mobile-patrols), keyholding and alarm response (https://sps-security.com/services/keyholding-alarm-response) and lock and unlock services (https://sps-security.com/services/lock-and-unlock-services), which are also priced mainly on officer time. ## How SPS Security prices fairly Our quotes show officer hours, pay rates and what's included. We tell you upfront how National Living Wage and Real Living Wage rises will be handled over the contract. Our free guarding estimator (https://sps-security.com/tools/guarding-estimator) gives a quick indication, and we price every site properly after a visit. ## Sources - LPC recommendations take the National Living Wage to £13.21 (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/lpc-recommendations-take-the-national-living-wage-to-1321), GOV.UK, 28 October 2026 - Real Living Wage rates for 2026/27 (https://www.cipp.org.uk/resources/news/real-living-wage-rates-for-2026-27-are-here.html), CIPP ## FAQs ### How much will a security officer earn from April 2027? At least £13.21 an hour if aged 21 or over, or £11.27 at 18 to 20. On 48 hours a week that's £32,972.16 a year before tax. ### How much does a 24/7 security officer post cost? It depends on the site, shift pattern and pay rate. Our guarding estimator (https://sps-security.com/tools/guarding-estimator) gives a quick indication, and we price every site properly after a visit. ### Will my security contract price go up? If your contract passes on National Living Wage rises, yes, from April 2027. ### Should a 12-month guarding quote starting before April 2027 include the new rate? Yes. Any hours worked from 1 April 2027 should be priced at £13.21 or more, so a 12-month quote that runs past 31 March 2027 should allow for the rise. ## Budgeting for security in 2027/28? We'll show you officer hours, pay rates and how the April 2027 rise affects your price, before you commit. 01482 226570 — 24/7 Control Room: +441482226570 Call Us: +441482226570 Request a Quote: https://sps-security.com/quote ## Structured data ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "How much will a security officer earn from April 2027?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "At least £13.21 an hour if aged 21 or over, or £11.27 at 18 to 20. On 48 hours a week that's £32,972.16 a year before tax." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How much does a 24/7 security officer post cost?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "It depends on the site, shift pattern and pay rate. Our guarding estimator gives a quick indication, and we price every site properly after a visit." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Will my security contract price go up?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "If your contract passes on National Living Wage rises, yes, from April 2027." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Should a 12-month guarding quote starting before April 2027 include the new rate?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. Any hours worked from 1 April 2027 should be priced at £13.21 or more, so a 12-month quote that runs past 31 March 2027 should allow for the rise." } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "National Living Wage £13.21 from April 2027: Security Officers | SPS Security", "description": "The National Living Wage rises 3.9% to £13.21 from April 2027. Security officer pay at 42, 48 and 54 hours, FTE annual figures and what it means for guarding contracts.", "image": "https://media.base44.com/images/public/698915a4f050929687a915b6/e6c4bb332_national-living-wage-april-2027-sps-security.webp", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "SPS Security team", "url": "https://sps-security.com" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "SPS Security", "url": "https://sps-security.com", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://qtrypzzcjebvfcihiynt.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/base44-prod/public/698915a4f050929687a915b6/a2fa8c13a_SPSSecurityNewLogo.png" } }, "datePublished": "2026-11-01T21:15:00.000Z", "dateModified": "2026-11-01T21:15:20.489000", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://sps-security.com/insights/national-living-wage-april-2027" }, "wordCount": 675, "articleSection": "Compliance", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "isPartOf": { "@type": "WebSite", "name": "SPS Security", "url": "https://sps-security.com" }, "speakable": { "@type": "SpeakableSpecification", "cssSelector": [ "h1", ".prose h2", ".prose h3" ] } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sps-security.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Insights", "item": "https://sps-security.com/insights" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "National Living Wage £13.21 from April 2027: Security Officers | SPS Security", "item": "https://sps-security.com/insights/national-living-wage-april-2027" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sps-security.com/#organization", "name": "SPS Security", "legalName": "SPS Security Limited", "url": "https://sps-security.com", "logo": "https://media.base44.com/images/public/698915a4f050929687a915b6/1f1253e54_SPSSecurityLogo.JPG", "image": "https://media.base44.com/images/public/698915a4f050929687a915b6/1f1253e54_SPSSecurityLogo.JPG", "sameAs": [ "https://www.linkedin.com/company/sps-security-ltd", "https://www.facebook.com/SPSSecurityLtd", "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/02738677" ], "description": "SPS Security is a Hull-based security and fire and security company providing SIA-licensed guarding, mobile patrols, key holding, alarm response, CCTV monitoring and, through SPS Technical, fire and security systems across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.", "foundingDate": "1992", "telephone": "+441482226570", "email": "info@sps-security.com", "identifier": { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Companies House", "propertyID": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/02738677", "value": "02738677" }, "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "Neptune House, Neptune Street", "addressLocality": "Hull", "addressRegion": "East Yorkshire", "postalCode": "HU3 2BP", "addressCountry": "GB" }, "areaServed": [ { "@type": "AdministrativeArea", "name": "Yorkshire" }, { "@type": "AdministrativeArea", "name": "Lincolnshire" } ], "contactPoint": { "@type": "ContactPoint", "telephone": "+441482226570", "contactType": "customer service", "areaServed": "GB", "availableLanguage": "English" }, "hasCredential": [ { "@type": "EducationalOccupationalCredential", "name": "SIA Approved Contractor Scheme — Security Guarding, Key Holding, Public Space CCTV", "credentialCategory": "Industry Approval", "recognizedBy": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Security Industry Authority" }, "validFrom": "2026-05-01", "validUntil": "2027-04-30" }, { "@type": "EducationalOccupationalCredential", "name": "ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management", "credentialCategory": "Management System Certification", "recognizedBy": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Alcumus ISOQAR" }, "identifier": "1208-QMS-001", "validUntil": "2028-03-23" }, { "@type": "EducationalOccupationalCredential", "name": "ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management", "credentialCategory": "Management System Certification", "recognizedBy": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Alcumus ISOQAR" }, "identifier": "1208-EMS-001", "validUntil": "2028-03-23" }, { "@type": "EducationalOccupationalCredential", "name": "BSIA Membership — Security Officer Services Section", "credentialCategory": "Industry Membership", "recognizedBy": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "British Security Industry Association" }, "identifier": "667/S0194", "validUntil": "2026-12-31" }, { "@type": "EducationalOccupationalCredential", "name": "CHAS SSIP", "credentialCategory": "Health & Safety", "recognizedBy": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Veriforce CHAS" }, "identifier": "CHAS-0004703", "validUntil": "2026-11-12" }, { "@type": "EducationalOccupationalCredential", "name": "SafeContractor", "credentialCategory": "Health & Safety", "recognizedBy": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Alcumus SafeContractor" }, "identifier": "PE5040", "validUntil": "2026-12-04" } ], "parentOrganization": { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://spsgroupservices.com/#organization", "name": "SPS Group", "legalName": "Millwood Investments Limited", "url": "https://spsgroupservices.com", "subOrganization": [ { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://ics-cleaning.com/#organization", "name": "ICS Cleaning", "alternateName": "Independent Cleaning Services", "url": "https://ics-cleaning.com", "foundingDate": "1995", "description": "Commercial, contract, school and specialist cleaning across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire." } ] }, "subOrganization": [ { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://t-e-s-s.co.uk/#organization", "name": "TESS", "url": "https://t-e-s-s.co.uk", "description": "Hull fire and security systems company, owned by SPS Security since 2023." } ], "department": { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sps-technical.com/#organization", "name": "SPS Technical", "url": "https://sps-technical.com", "description": "The SPS Security fire and security systems division: commercial CCTV, intruder alarm, access control and fire alarm installation, maintenance and monitoring." }, "hasOfferCatalog": { "@type": "OfferCatalog", "name": "Security Services", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "Security Guarding", "url": "https://sps-security.com/services/security-guarding" } }, { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "Mobile Patrols", "url": "https://sps-security.com/services/mobile-patrols" } }, { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "Key Holding & Alarm Response", "url": "https://sps-security.com/services/keyholding-alarm-response" } }, { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "CCTV Monitoring & Control Room", "url": "https://sps-security.com/services/control-room" } }, { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "Vacant Property Security", "url": "https://sps-security.com/services/vacant-property-security" } }, { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "Security Dog Handling", "url": "https://sps-security.com/services/security-dog-handling" } }, { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "Technical Security Systems", "url": "https://sps-security.com/services/technical-security" } }, { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "Integrated Security", "url": "https://sps-security.com/services/integrated-security" } } ] } }, [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "SecurityService", "@id": "https://sps-security.com/#hull-office", "name": "SPS Security — Hull Office", "image": "https://media.base44.com/images/public/698915a4f050929687a915b6/1f1253e54_SPSSecurityLogo.JPG", "url": "https://sps-security.com", "telephone": "+441482226570", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "Neptune House, Neptune Street", "addressLocality": "Hull", "addressRegion": "East Yorkshire", "postalCode": "HU3 2BP", "addressCountry": "GB" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": 53.7337, "longitude": -0.3561 }, "openingHoursSpecification": [ { "@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification", "dayOfWeek": [ "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday" ], "opens": "08:00", "closes": "17:30", "description": "Office hours" } ], "additionalProperty": { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Control Room Availability", "value": "24/7 — telephone and alarm response available around the clock via 01482 226570" }, "parentOrganization": { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sps-security.com/#organization", "name": "SPS Security", "url": "https://sps-security.com" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "SecurityService", "@id": "https://sps-security.com/#grimsby-office", "name": "SPS Security — Grimsby Office", "image": "https://media.base44.com/images/public/698915a4f050929687a915b6/1f1253e54_SPSSecurityLogo.JPG", "url": "https://sps-security.com", "telephone": "+441472660047", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "Europarc Innovation Centre, Innovation Way", "addressLocality": "Grimsby", "addressRegion": "North East Lincolnshire", "postalCode": "DN37 9TT", "addressCountry": "GB" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": 53.5856, "longitude": -0.1301 }, "openingHoursSpecification": [ { "@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification", "dayOfWeek": [ "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday" ], "opens": "08:00", "closes": "17:30", "description": "Office hours" } ], "additionalProperty": { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Control Room Availability", "value": "24/7 — telephone and alarm response available around the clock via 01482 226570" }, "parentOrganization": { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sps-security.com/#organization", "name": "SPS Security", "url": "https://sps-security.com" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "SecurityService", "@id": "https://sps-security.com/#lincoln-office", "name": "SPS Security — Lincoln Office", "image": "https://media.base44.com/images/public/698915a4f050929687a915b6/1f1253e54_SPSSecurityLogo.JPG", "url": "https://sps-security.com", "telephone": "+441522370032", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "Brayford Pool", "addressLocality": "Lincoln", "addressRegion": "Lincolnshire", "postalCode": "LN6 7TS", "addressCountry": "GB" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": 53.2285, "longitude": -0.5478 }, "openingHoursSpecification": [ { "@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification", "dayOfWeek": [ "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday" ], "opens": "08:00", "closes": "17:30", "description": "Office hours" } ], "additionalProperty": { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Control Room Availability", "value": "24/7 — telephone and alarm response available around the clock via 01482 226570" }, "parentOrganization": { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sps-security.com/#organization", "name": "SPS Security", "url": "https://sps-security.com" } } ], { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "name": "SPS Security", "url": "https://sps-security.com", "description": "SPS Security provides SIA-licensed security guarding, mobile patrols, keyholding, alarm response and CCTV monitoring across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.", "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "SPS Security", "url": "https://sps-security.com" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sps-security.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Insights", "item": "https://sps-security.com/insights" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "National Living Wage April 2027" } ] } ] ```