Security Salaries in Singapore Set for Big Raise
What’s Up With the Pay?
Good news for almost 40,000 security guards across 265 local agencies: their monthly wages will climb every year for the next six years.
- Lowest‑ranked officers will see a price tag more than double – from $1,650 in 2023 to $3,530 by 2028.
- Top‑tier supervisors will jump from $2,240 to $4,430 over the same period.
- Overall pay, on average, will grow at a 6.6% compound annual rate – over twice the 3% bump announced back in 2017.
How Was This Decided?
It all started with a tripartite committee – the Security Tripartite Cluster (STC) – that first rolled out the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) for the private security industry in 2014. By 2016, the PWM became a licensing requirement for all security agencies.
After a recent review to tackle the stale‑mate workforce crunch, the STC proposed:
- A significant increase in 2023 for baseline wages.
- A fixed‑dollar jump each year from 2024 to 2028.
- Inclusion of wages paid for hours beyond the standard 44‑hour work week.
- A cap of 72 overtime hours per month to keep work loads realistic.
These recommendations were green‑lit by the Government on Friday (Nov 12).
Why the Fix?
“The shortage of security staff is a perennial problem,” says NTUC assistant director‑general Zainal Sapari, chair of the STC.
“Many buyers still rely on headcount‑based contracts, and COVID‑19 added extra safe‑management demands that push agencies to stretch thin. New buildings, too, mean more guard rosters.”
Security Association Singapore president Mr. Raj Joshua Thomas chimed in: “It’s tough to attract talent when officers clock 12‑hour shifts six days a week for relatively low pay. The industry and buyers need to bite the bullet – we can’t treat security as just a cheap resource.”
He suggests buyers can offset costs by cutting headcount, installing smarter tech, and leaning on consultants for smart manpower deployment. “It’s a mindset shift,” he says, “to a future where security is technology‑savvy, not just man‑power‑heavy.”
Beyond the Pay Check
The STC is also pushing for:
- Higher industry standards.
- Better productivity through technology adoption.
- Targeted skill upgrades for officers.
- Exploring job redesigns to boost service outcomes.
With a clearer wage ladder and smarter tech tools, the hope is to make security jobs more appealing, keeping the guards happy (and the patrons safe). Fidelity to the rules, plus a dash of innovation, might just be the secret sauce the industry has been craving.
Security’s Staffing Dilemma: Covid-19, Safety Measures, and a Growing Talent Gap
The security sector’s talent shortage has hit a new low, thanks largely to the ongoing Covid‑19 safety protocols that every agency must follow. According to the Security Training Centre (STC), this double‑whammy of risk mitigation and an already strained workforce has turned the already challenging job market into a full‑blown labour crunch.
What’s the Fix? Leveraging Programs, Unions, and Upskilling
- Productivity Solutions Grant – Take advantage of this grant to streamline operations and boost workforce efficiency.
- Union Links – Team up with the Union of Security Employees or national trade associations to spark structural change.
- Upskill, Upskill, Upskill – Workers are urged to embrace new skills, adopt fresh tech, and keep a positive learning mindset.
Buyer’s Playbook: Go Beyond Headcounts
Instead of letting contracts hinge on sheer numbers of staff, service purchasers are prompted to shift toward “outcome‑based” agreements. That means paying for results—better coverage, faster response times, and measurable safety metrics—rather than the old “more people, more protection” mantra.
Respect the Front Line
The STC has a clear call for the public: Show appreciation for the hard‑working security officers who are keeping everyone safe. A simple nod of respect can go a long way in boosting morale.
Government’s Tripartite Commitment
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) welcomed the recommendations, promising that they would strengthen the trio’s efforts to:
- Elevate lower‑wage security roles with better pathways.
- Transform the industry by adopting modern tools and practices.
- Improve safety outcomes in a sustainable, long‑term fashion.
“Our shared goal is to create meaningful careers for security officers, hike productivity, and secure communities with lasting impact,” the ministries stated.
Original piece first appeared in The Straits Times. Permission is required for reproduction.
