Security agencies and employers of in-house security officers must meet the Progressive Wage Model wage and training requirements for security officers who are Singapore citizens or permanent residents.
What is it
The Progressive Wage Model (PWM) for security officers was developed by the Security Tripartite Cluster (STC).
The PWM is a licensing condition for security agencies under the Police Licensing and Regulatory Department (PLRD).
From 1 September 2022, in-house employers are required to meet the PWM requirements for their in-house security officers.
Who it covers
The PWM requirements:
- Are mandatory.
- Cover all Singapore citizens and permanent residents employed as security officers in licensed security agencies or in-house employers that hire foreign workers.
Employers are encouraged to adopt the PWM’s principles for their foreign security officers, and in-house security officers not covered by PWM, by upgrading their skills and implementing productivity-based wage progression pathways.
Wage requirements
The PWM is a five-level career progression model. It features:
- Training requirements that tap on the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications for Security (Security WSQ). This ensures that security officers are equipped with the skills needed to carry out their jobs.
- Progressive wages set for each level. This ensures that security officers are paid wages that correspond with their skills and productivity.
The STC reviewed the PWM wages in November 2021. The wage requirements recommended in the STC's report is effective from 1 January 2023.
The responsibilities for security officers recommended by the STC are as follows.
| Job level |
Responsibilities |
| Chief security officer |
- Supervision management
- Form and lead security watch groups
- Security and contingency planning for major or large events
|
|
At least 2 years as a senior security supervisor
+
3 diploma modules
|
| Senior security supervisor |
- In charge of security or fire command centre with more than 3 personnel
- Conduct security audits and risk assessment
- General supervision
|
|
At least 1 year 6 months as a security supervisor
+
4 advanced modules (Full advanced certificate)
|
| Security supervisor |
- In charge of security or fire command centre with 3 or fewer personnel
- Incident management and reporting
- Direct supervision
- Execute evacuation plans and exercises
|
|
At least 1 year as a senior security officer
+
1 Advanced Licensing Unit
+
2 advanced modules
|
| Senior security officer |
- Operate security and safety systems
- Regulate traffic (Road Traffic Act)
- Monitor security or fire command centre
- Assist ministries, statutory boards or government departments in law enforcement duties
- Key press management
|
|
At least 6 months as a security officer
+
2 certificate modules
|
| Security officer |
- Screening
- Patrolling and guarding
- Access and egress control
- Incident response
- Acting as a bodyguard or bouncer
|
|
2 Basic Licensing Units
+
“Recognise Terrorist Threats” (from 1 Jan 2020 onwards)
|
| New applicant |
Wage requirements
Full-time outsourced security officers
| Job level |
Monthly basic wage requirements for full-time outsourced security officers (35-44 hours per week) |
| 2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
2027 |
2028 |
Senior security supervisor
|
≥ $2,240 |
≥ $3,550 |
≥ $3,770 |
≥ $3,990 |
≥ $4,210 |
≥ $4,430 |
Security supervisor
|
≥ $2,040 |
≥ $3,250 |
≥ $3,470 |
≥ $3,690 |
≥ $3,910 |
≥ $4,130 |
Senior security officer
|
≥ $1,830 |
≥ $2,950 |
≥ $3,170 |
≥ $3,390 |
≥ $3,610 |
≥ $3,830 |
| Security officer |
≥ $1,650 |
≥ $2,650 |
≥ $2,870 |
≥ $3,090 |
≥ $3,310 |
≥ $3,530 |
Note: Wages of full-time outsourced security officers are expressed in basic terms.
From 2024, the basic wages of full-time security officers will be above $2,600. Part 4 of the Employment Act will no longer apply to full-time security officers, and employers are no longer required to pay security officers for extra hours worked beyond the 44-hour regular work week.
Under Police’s licensing conditions, security officers should not work more than 72 extra hours per month. Security officers do not have to work mandatory extra hours to earn the basic wage requirement. Security officers and their employers should discuss and agree on the terms of employment in writing.
The wage schedule is subject to review in 2025.
Part-time outsourced security officers
| Job level |
Hourly basic wage requirements for part-time outsourced security officers |
| 2024 |
2025 |
| Senior security supervisor |
≥ $13.55
|
≥ $14.40 |
| Security supervisor |
≥ $12.40 |
≥ $13.25 |
| Senior security officer |
≥ $11.25 |
≥ $12.10 |
| Security officer |
≥ $10.10 |
≥ $10.95 |
Full-time in-house security officers
| Job level |
Monthly gross wage requirements (excluding overtime payments) for full-time in-house security officers (35-44 hours per week) |
| 2024 |
2025 |
| Senior security supervisor |
Left to market forces |
| Security supervisor |
≥ $2,605
|
≥ $2,745 |
| Senior security officer |
≥ $2,375 |
≥ $2,515 |
| Security officer |
≥ $2,175
|
≥ $2,315 |
Note:
Wages of full-time in-house security officers are expressed in gross terms.
For in-house security officers covered under Part 4 of the Employment Act whose job scope and working hours remain the same, employers should pay them a basic wage not lower than the preceding year’s basic wage.
Total monthly gross wage (for full-time work of 35-44 hours per week) refers to the sum of:
- Basic wage
- Allowances such as travel, food, and housing
- Productivity incentive payments
It does not include:
- Bonuses including Annual Wage Supplement
- Stock options
- Reimbursement of special expenses incurred in the course of employment
- Payments-in-kind
- Employer CPF contributions
Part-time in-house security officers
The part-time hourly gross wage will be pro-rated based on a 44-hour work week basis.
Employers must also ensure they comply with Employment Act requirements for their part-time employees.
Training requirements
Security agencies and in-house employers must ensure that their Singapore citizen and PR security officers meet the PWM training requirements.
Both the security agency and security officers will benefit from the increased productivity and ability to provide higher security standards to service buyers through proper training.
Find out more about the security PWM’s training requirements or get assistance for training costs.
Find out more
For more information: