Created in 2013 to examine the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) for corporate security, the Security Tripartite Cluster (STC) was developed by representatives from professional associations, unions and governments.
The PWM for the security industry, developed by the STC, aims to encourage both employers and security officers to enhance their skills and increase productivity through a productivity-based wage progression pathway. Since September 2016, all security agencies are required to pay their security officers according to the PWM wage ladder to renew or obtain their licences.
The Progressive Wage Model introduces a five-level career progression model with established wages for each level. Officers start their careers as Security Officer (SO) and can progress to Senior Security Officer (SSO), Security Supervisor (SS), Senior Security Supervisor (SSS), and eventually become Chief Security Officer (CSO).
Following the government’s approval of the STC’s recommendation in November 2021, the base salary of security personnel in Singapore will be progressively increased over a period of six years, starting in 2023.
From 2024, the monthly salaries of full-time security officers will exceed the S$2,600 limit set in Part IV of the Employment Act, which provides protection for overtime, holidays, rest days, and overtime pay regardless of their grade. The STC has approved “significant increases” in security personnel’s monthly salaries for 2023 and fixed dollar quantum annual increases from 2024 to 2028. However, the previously reported 3% salary increase will still apply for the coming year.
This means that from 2022 to 2028, the total salary for the lowest-paid officers will increase by more than 50%. The total monthly salary for 2022 is based on the starting salary plus 72 hours of overtime. By 2028, the average salary of a security guard will more than double, rising from S$1,650 in 2023 to S$3,530.
During this period, Senior Security Supervisors will receive an average salary ranging from S$2,240 to S$4,430. Overall, the total salary for each position will grow at an annual rate of 6.6% from 2022 to 2028, more than double the annual growth rate of at least 3% announced in November 2017.
The supply of security personnel has steadily increased over the years, yet a shortage persists due to growing demand for security services, driven by new housing developments and COVID-19 security measures.
Despite efforts to improve wages and salaries, the labour shortage continues to pose significant challenges for the security industry. To address these issues, it is crucial to enhance the utilisation of security personnel, both in-house security officers and those outsourced. This includes accelerating business transformation, increasing technology adoption, and integrating new talent into the workforce to prevent major operational challenges in the future.
In line with the industry’s goal of transitioning to a 44-hour workweek, the STC has clarified that the base salary for security personnel includes compensation for both regular work hours and overtime. For a full-time position, the starting salary for a security officer has been increased to S$2,650 per week.
This adjustment ensures that security guards receive stable wages without needing to work excessive hours. With this new implementation, security officers can also negotiate better performance terms, such as consistent working hours, with their employers.
In the strongest terms ever recognised by the government, safety regulations should extend beyond basic worker contracts to achieve optimal security outcomes. This suggests that the security industry will increasingly focus on skills and the ability to apply them, rather than solely relying on manpower.
Driving industry change also depends on the sector’s capacity to ensure reliability and efficiency in its operations, which will attract individuals with the necessary skills to join the security field.
These recommendations urge security agencies to embrace technology and innovation to enhance productivity and benefits. Security organisations are encouraged to utilise resources such as the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) and engage with industry partnerships and organisations for support in piloting new applications. The buyer must be prepared to accept that the price of the guarantee contract will inevitably be higher. Security organisations should also be transparent about how PWM salaries and contract costs are determined, reflecting the increased salaries and associated costs.
The security industry was previously exempt from the 72-hour monthly overtime limit due to the nature of the job. However, as of 1 January 2021, the tripartite partners have agreed to remove the OTE. This change will provide all security officers with two additional days of rest per month while benefiting from improved salaries under the Progressive Wage Model (PWM).
The Progressive Wage Model (PWM) aims to boost the wages of security personnel by encouraging skill enhancement and increased productivity. Under the PWM, security personnel can expect an average wage increase of 3%. The security PWM covers Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents (PRs). Benefits include:
In summary, by upgrading your skills, you’ll advance through the PWM ranks more quickly, boost your productivity, work fewer hours per month, and enjoy steady annual wage growth
| Job level | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
| Security officer | ≥ $1,400 | ≥ $1,442 | ≥ $1,650 | ≥ $2,650 | ≥ $2,870 | ≥ $3,090 | ≥ $3,310 | ≥ $3,530 |
| Senior security officer | ≥ $1,585 | ≥ $1,633 | ≥ $1,850 | ≥ $2,950 | ≥ $3,170 | ≥ $3,390 | ≥ $3,610 | ≥ $3,830 |
| Security supervisor | ≥ $1,785 | ≥ $1,839 | ≥ $2,040 | ≥ $3,250 | ≥ $3,470 | ≥ $3,690 | ≥ $3,910 | ≥ $4,130 |
| Senior security supervisor | ≥ $1,985 | ≥ $2,045 | ≥ $2,240 | ≥ $3,550 | ≥ $3,770 | ≥ $3,990 | ≥ $4,210 | ≥ $4,430 |
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Note: Basic wages in 2023 do not include overtime pay, which is compensated at 1.5 times the hourly rate for work exceeding the standard hours, as stipulated in Part IV of the Employment Act. Basic wages from 2024 to 2028 will include wages paid for work done in addition to the 44-hour regular workweek, as they exceed the current $2,600 monthly basic wage threshold for workers to be covered under Part IV of the Employment Act. The number of extra hours worked above the standard 44 hours per week will continue to be capped at 72 hours per month.
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Read our SIMPLE 3-Step Guide on how to become a Security Officer (SO).
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Holds the PWM rank of Senior Security Officer (SSO) for at least 1 year.
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For more information, visit the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) website to learn more about the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) for the security industry.
How to get a PLRD Security Officer License in 3 Simple Steps
Type of Jobs in the Security Industry
How to be a Security Officer (SO)
How to be a Senior Security Officer (SSO)
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