What this guide covers: The minimum monthly basic wages for Security Officers (SO), Senior Security Officers (SSO), Security Supervisors (SS), and Senior Security Supervisors (SSS) in Singapore from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026, based on the Ministry of Manpower’s official Progressive Wage Model (PWM) schedule. All figures are verified from MOM.gov.sg.
If you are working in security in Singapore, or thinking about entering the industry, one of the first things you want to know is how much you will actually earn. The good news is that security salaries in Singapore are no longer left to individual negotiation. There is a mandatory wage framework called the Progressive Wage Model, and the numbers went up again on 1 January 2026.
This guide gives you the full picture. What the minimum wages are at each rank right now, how much they have gone up compared to previous years, what you need to do to qualify for the higher tiers, and where salaries are heading between now and 2028.
All salary figures in this article come from the Ministry of Manpower’s official PWM schedule for the security sector. Nothing here has been estimated or approximated. If a number appears in this article, it comes from a verified government source.
What Is the Progressive Wage Model for Security Officers?
The PWM is a mandatory wage and training framework developed by the Security Tripartite Cluster (STC), which brings together the Government, employers, and NTUC. It sets minimum basic wages at each of the five job levels in the security career ladder, and ties wage increases directly to skills training and job progression.
The PWM is a licensing condition under the Police Licensing and Regulatory Department (PLRD). Every licensed security agency in Singapore must comply with it. If a security agency is paying a licensed Singaporean or PR security officer below the PWM minimum for their rank, that agency is in breach of its PLRD licence conditions.
The five job levels in the security PWM are:
- Security Officer (SO),
- Senior Security Officer (SSO),
- Security Supervisor (SS),
- Senior Security Supervisor (SSS),
- Chief Security Officer (CSO).
CSO wages are not set by the PWM schedule. They are negotiated between the officer and employer, but must exceed the SSS minimum.
Security Officer Salary Singapore 2026: Full PWM Table
The table below shows the minimum monthly basic wages for full-time outsourced security officers from 2024 to 2028. These are the minimum figures set by MOM. Your actual take-home pay depends on your agency, any additional allowances, shift patterns, and any overtime terms agreed in your employment contract.
Full-Time Outsourced Security Officers: Minimum Monthly Basic Wage (SGD)
| Rank | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 (current) | 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Security Officer (SO) | $2,650 | $2,870 | $3,090 | $3,310 | $3,530 |
| Senior Security Officer (SSO) | $2,950 | $3,170 | $3,390 | $3,610 | $3,830 |
| Security Supervisor (SS) | $3,250 | $3,470 | $3,690 | $3,910 | $4,130 |
| Senior Security Supervisor (SSS) | $3,550 | $3,770 | $3,990 | $4,210 | $4,430 |
2026 at a glance: A full-time Security Officer must earn at least $3,090 per month in basic wages. A Senior Security Officer must earn at least $3,390. A Security Supervisor must earn at least $3,690. A Senior Security Supervisor must earn at least $3,990.
Part-Time Security Officers: Hourly Rates in 2026
If you are working part-time in security, the PWM sets minimum hourly rates instead of monthly wages.
Part-Time Outsourced Security Officers: Minimum Hourly Basic Wage (SGD)
| Rank | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 (current) | 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Security Officer (SO) | $10.10 | $10.95 | $11.80 | $12.60 | $13.45 |
| Senior Security Officer (SSO) | $11.25 | $12.10 | $12.95 | $13.75 | $14.60 |
| Security Supervisor (SS) | $12.40 | $13.25 | $14.10 | $14.90 | $15.75 |
| Senior Security Supervisor (SSS) | $13.55 | $14.40 | $15.25 | $16.05 | $16.90 |
What Does Basic Wage Mean and What About Overtime?
The PWM sets minimum basic wages, not gross wages. Basic wages do not include overtime pay, shift allowances, transport allowances, or any other additional components your employer may include on top.
One change that came in on 1 January 2024 is worth understanding clearly. Because security officers’ basic wages now exceed $2,600 per month, Part 4 of the Employment Act no longer applies to full-time security officers. Part 4 is the section that covers overtime pay requirements. This means employers are no longer required by law to pay overtime on top of basic wages for hours worked beyond the standard 44-hour work week.
This does not mean your employer cannot pay overtime. It means they are not legally required to under Part 4. Whatever extra-hours arrangement you have should be written into your employment contract. Under PLRD licensing conditions, security officers are not permitted to work more than 72 extra hours per month.
If your employer is not paying you the PWM minimum for your rank, approach MOM for assistance at 6438 5122 or report an Employment Act violation at mom.gov.sg.
In-House Security Officers: A Separate Wage Schedule
The salary tables above apply to outsourced security officers, meaning those deployed by licensed security agencies to client sites. In-house security officers, who are employed directly by the company whose premises they protect, fall under a separate wage ladder introduced in January 2024.
From 1 January 2026, entry-level in-house security officers must receive at least $2,475 per month in gross wages. This rises to $2,795 by 2028. The figure is lower than the outsourced SO minimum of $3,090 because in-house employers have different cost structures. They are direct employers rather than agencies bidding competitively on security contracts.
The Ministry of Home Affairs announced in October 2025 that more than 7,600 full-time and part-time in-house security officers will see their wages rise under this three-year schedule from 2026 to 2028.
How to Move Up the Salary Ladder
Wages increase as you complete the required WSQ training modules and accumulate the minimum service time at each rank. PLRD enforces the experience requirements strictly. You cannot skip levels regardless of your prior background or experience.
Security Officer to Senior Security Officer
You need at least six months of service as a licensed Security Officer. You must also complete two WSQ modules: Deterrence (MDCTB) and Security Surveillance Management (PRSF). New SSOs from 1 January 2024 must complete PRSF before deployment. Officers who became SSOs before that date must complete PRSF by 31 December 2026. The minimum wage increase from SO to SSO in 2026 is $300 per month.
Senior Security Officer to Security Supervisor
You need at least 12 months of service as an SSO. The three required WSQ modules at this level are: Guard and Patrol, Supervise Security Officers (SS); Capability Development, Induct Security Personnel (ISP); and Security Operation Compliance, Supervisory Legal Framework (PSDWLF). The minimum wage increase from SSO to SS in 2026 is $300 per month.
Security Supervisor to Senior Security Supervisor
You need at least 12 months as a Security Supervisor and must complete the Manpower Planning module, Monitor and Review Security Operations. The minimum wage increase from SS to SSS in 2026 is $300 per month.
PLRD Deadline: 31 December 2026. All existing licensed Security Officers must complete Operate Basic Security Equipment (OBSE) by this date. All existing Senior Security Officers must complete the Perform Remote Surveillance Function (PRSF) by this date. Officers who do not complete these modules cannot be deployed from 1 January 2027. PLRD has confirmed this is a final deadline. No further extensions will be given.
Does the PWM Apply to All Security Officers?
The mandatory PWM wage requirements cover all Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents working as security officers in licensed security agencies, or employed as in-house security officers by companies that also hire foreign workers.
For security officers holding Employment Pass, S Pass, or Work Permit, employers are encouraged to adopt the same skills-based wage progression principles, but the legal minimum under the PWM does not apply to them.
If you are a Singapore Citizen or PR with a valid security officer licence and your employer is paying you below the PWM minimum for your rank, that is a breach of their PLRD licence conditions and a violation of MOM regulations. You have the right to report it.
Can You Earn More Than the PWM Minimum?
Yes. The PWM sets a floor, not a ceiling. Officers in specialist roles typically earn above the minimum. Screening-certified officers deployed to higher-security sites, surveillance operators managing large command centres, and supervisors at agencies with complex operations can all expect wages above the PWM floor.
Agencies competing for premium contracts must pay well to attract experienced, properly trained officers who can meet client requirements. Officers who have completed their Supervisor qualifications and have a solid understanding of the Private Security Industry Act tend to be more sought-after, particularly by agencies undergoing SACE preparation for their PLRD licence renewal.
Where Security Salaries Are Heading by 2028
The current PWM schedule runs until 31 December 2028. For an entry-level Security Officer, the minimum basic wage progression looks like this:
- 2024: $2,650 per month
- 2025: $2,870 per month
- 2026: $3,090 per month
- 2027: $3,310 per month
- 2028: $3,530 per month
That is a 33 per cent increase from the 2024 baseline to 2028. For a Security Supervisor, the minimum wage goes from $3,250 in 2024 to $4,130 by 2028, an increase of $880 per month at the bottom of the scale. The 2028 figures are subject to further review in 2027, when MOM and the Security Tripartite Cluster will reassess market conditions.
Is Security Worth Considering as a Career in Singapore?
The honest answer is yes, more so now than a few years ago. The entry salary has moved significantly. At $3,090 per month basic in 2026, a full-time Security Officer earns more than many entry-level roles in retail and F&B. The wage increases are guaranteed by law, not subject to employer discretion or annual performance reviews.
The training costs are also lower than many people expect. All WSQ security modules are SkillsFuture claimable for Singaporeans and PRs. After SSG subsidies, most officers pay well below $200 out of pocket for a module that unlocks a $300 monthly wage increase. That is a fast return.
If you are already a licensed Security Officer and have not yet planned your SSO upgrade, the OBSE and PRSF deadline on 31 December 2026 is the most pressing reason to act. Missing it does not just delay your promotion. It means your employer cannot deploy you at all from January 2027.
Complete your WSQ modules and move up the wage ladder
Etann Academy runs PLRD-recognised WSQ security courses for every level of the PWM. Basic Licensing Units for new entrants, mandatory OBSE and PRSF for existing officers, and Supervisor qualifications. All courses are SkillsFuture claimable. Multiple intakes every month.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum salary for a Security Officer in Singapore in 2026?
The minimum monthly basic wage for a full-time outsourced Security Officer in Singapore from 1 January 2026 is $3,090. This is the PWM minimum set by MOM and applies to all Singapore Citizens and PRs in licensed security roles.
Do security officers in Singapore get overtime pay?
From 1 January 2024, Part 4 of the Employment Act no longer applies to full-time security officers because their basic wages exceed $2,600. Employers are not legally required to pay overtime under Part 4. Your employment contract should clearly state whether and how extra hours are compensated. PLRD caps extra hours at 72 per month.
What is the salary difference between a Security Officer and a Senior Security Officer?
In 2026, the minimum basic wage for an SO is $3,090 and for an SSO is $3,390. The gap is $300 per month at the minimum level. To qualify as an SSO, you need at least six months of service as a licensed SO and must have completed MDCTB and PRSF.
Does the PWM minimum salary apply to foreign security officers in Singapore?
The mandatory PWM minimum applies to Singapore Citizens and PRs. Employers are encouraged to apply the same wage principles to foreign officers, but it is not a legal requirement under the current framework.
Where can I check the official PWM salary figures?
The official source is the Ministry of Manpower website. MHA published the October 2025 announcement on in-house officer wages at mha.gov.sg. Always verify against the official MOM page rather than third-party articles, since the page is updated when figures change.
